outwardcurving

Outwardcurving is a descriptive term used to describe a curve, edge, or contour that bends away from its interior, yielding a convex profile when observed from the inside region. It is not a fixed mathematical category, but it is commonly applied in geometry, design, engineering, and the natural and built environments to convey the direction of bending.

In geometry and related fields, outward-curving portions of a shape bulge outward relative to a referenced interior or baseline. For closed curves, such segments contribute to a profile that appears convex rather than concave. The concept is often discussed alongside inward-curving (concave) sections and straight segments to describe overall form or surface behavior.

Applications and contexts are varied. In architecture and product design, outward-curving elements include arches, cornices, and rims that flare toward the exterior, creating a sense of expansion or ornamentation. In engineering and aerodynamics, cambered or flaring surfaces curve outward to influence flow or force distribution, such as certain airfoil or hull shapes. In biology and botany, leaves, petals, or seed pods may exhibit outward-curving margins or edges that follow this bending pattern.

Measurement and analysis commonly rely on curvature concepts. Depending on the framework, outward-curving sections are identified by positive curvature, a convex local shape, or a normal vector oriented toward the exterior relative to a chosen interior region.

See also: convexity, curvature, concavity.