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In Wikipedia, a polygon is defined as a closed polygonal chain. In other words, the term "polygon" implies that the curve is closed.

My question is: Is it common to refer to non-closed, piecewise linear curves as "polygons", too? Otherwise, is there a different term that describes general polygonal chains (other than "polygonal chain" which I find a bit long)?

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  • $\begingroup$ Doesn't that first depend on what's actually said at which bit of Wikipedia? Further, do piecewise linear curves generically include straight lines? $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 17, 2023 at 0:02
  • $\begingroup$ @RobbieGoodwin Yes, I'd say that a single straight line is a special case of a piecewise linear curve. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 17, 2023 at 14:05
  • $\begingroup$ That does make sense, and does it not also imply that all straight lines are 'merely' special cases of curves? $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 18, 2023 at 0:09

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I personally wouldn't like to describe non-closed piecewise linear curves as polygons. You might find polyline a better word to describe it. A polyline is a collection of connected straight line segments.

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