Nollpunkten

Nollpunkten, or the zero point, is a term used in Swedish to denote a reference value at zero in a measurement, scale, or system. It serves as a baseline from which changes are measured.

In mathematics and physics, nollpunkten commonly refers to the origin of a coordinate system—the point with zero coordinates. On a one-dimensional axis, this is the zero on the number line; in two- and three-dimensional space it is the origin. The concept is also used in instruments as the calibration or zero setting, which must be established before measurements.

In measurement and instrumentation, nollpunkten describes the point or condition where the instrument reads zero, requiring calibration to compensate for drift, bias, or offset. Zeroing procedures ensure that subsequent readings reflect true quantities.

In economics and accounting, nollpunkten is the break-even point: the level of sales at which total revenues equal total costs, so profit is zero. It is a key figure in budgeting, pricing strategy, and risk assessment, and can be expressed in units of quantity or in monetary terms.

In thermodynamics, the term can appear in reference to absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature, sometimes described as the absoluta nollpunkten.

The term is widely used in science, engineering and business to denote a baseline or reference point against which other values are compared. Different disciplines specify the exact meaning of nollpunkten within their context.