Centers

Center is a term used across disciplines to denote a point or place that lies near the middle of something, or a focal point or hub around which activity concentrates. It can refer to a spatial location, a geometric concept, or a functional role within a system.

In geometry, the center of a figure is a distinguished point with symmetry or balance properties. The center of a circle is the point equidistant from all points on the circle. For polygons and solids, several centers serve different purposes: the centroid or center of mass is the balance point for a shape with uniform density; the circumcenter is the center of the circle that passes through all vertices; the incenter is the center of the circle tangent to all sides; and the orthocenter is the intersection of the altitudes. Additional centers, such as the barycenter, are defined for systems of particles or bodies.

In physics and astronomy, the center of mass (or barycenter) is a reference point that represents the average position of mass in a body or system and moves under the influence of external forces and torques. It provides a useful simplify for analyzing motion and gravitational interactions.

In everyday use, centers denote places that gather or organize activity, such as city centers, town centers, cultural centers, research centers, or community centers. In information technology and design, centering describes the alignment of content in the middle of a layout or screen, reflecting a practical sense of balance and accessibility.