triangolazione

Triangolazione, in Italian, refers to the method or process of determining positions, shapes, or spatial relationships by using triangles. It is a general concept that appears in several fields, often relying on measurements of angles and distances and the properties of trigonometry to infer unknown quantities from known references.

In geodesy, surveying and cartography, triangolazione is a technique for establishing geographical positions over large areas. A network of triangles is formed with a measured baseline at one end. By measuring angles at the vertices and applying trigonometric relations, distances between successive points are computed, enabling the extension of maps across regions. Historically, triangulation networks played a central role before satellite positioning became widespread; accuracy depends on instrument precision, network design, and error propagation.

In computer graphics and computational geometry, triangolazione denotes the division of a polygon into triangles, a fundamental step for rendering, simulation, and mesh processing. Algorithms such as ear clipping and constrained Delaunay triangulation are used to produce well-shaped triangulations that optimize numerical stability and visual quality for 3D models and finite element analyses.

In research methodology, triangolazione also refers to triangulation, the practice of using multiple data sources, methods, investigators, or theoretical perspectives to corroborate findings. This approach aims to enhance reliability and validity by cross-checking results through different angles of evidence.

Overall, triangolazione encompasses techniques that rely on geometric or methodological triangulation to extract information, build structures, or validate conclusions across diverse disciplines.