Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

quaternion

noun

/kwɒtˈɜːrniən/

Definition

A quaternion is a mathematical entity that extends the concept of three-dimensional rotations to four dimensions, encapsulating rotations in a more powerful and complex way.

Examples

Quaternions are crucial for smoothly interpolating rotations in 3D animations.
In robotics, quaternions help in calculating the precise orientation of robotic arms.
The use of quaternions can avoid the gimbal lock that occurs with Euler angles.

Meaning

Quaternions are often used in computer graphics, robotics, and physics for representing orientations and rotations of objects in three-dimensional space.