Keresztülhaladó

Keresztülhaladó is a Hungarian term that literally means “throughgoing” and is used in mathematical contexts to describe a line or plane that passes through or intersects other objects. In geometry, the concept is most commonly applied to a transversal, a line that intersects two or more other lines or curves.

In plane geometry, a transversal to two lines l1 and l2 is a line that meets both lines at distinct points. When l1 and l2 are parallel, the transversal creates a set of angle relationships, such as corresponding angles and alternate interior angles, which remain equal. These angle relationships are fundamental tools in proving parallelism and in solving related geometric problems. The idea can be extended to three-dimensional space, where a line or a plane may act as a transversal to a collection of lines or surfaces.

Beyond pure geometry, the term may be used in more general technical discussions to describe features or sections that cut through an object, producing cross-sections or intersections. In such broad usage, it characterizes a path or surface that passes through other structures, enabling cross-sectional analysis or intersection studies.

Etymology and usage: the word is formed from keresztül (through) and haladó (passing or going), reflecting its descriptive sense. It is primarily found in Hungarian mathematical literature and technical writing and is typically understood within the context of geometric intersections and cross-sections.

See also: transversal; cross-section; parallelism.