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What is the shortest line between any two points?
In plane geometry it is a straight line. If you want to know the shortest line between two points on a globe, it will be the intervening section or arc of the great circle route that connects the points. The great circle will be a circle that cuts the globe into exactly equal parts, like the equator.
Does every great circle of a sphere have to pass through its center?
Let's be very careful here: The "great circle" of a sphere is a circle that lies on the surface ofthe sphere, so there's no way the great circle can "pass through" the sphere's center.However, in order for the circle to be a "great circle", its center must be the center of the sphere.
Can anyone explain the great circle formula in layman terms?
Yes the great circle formula is the same formula for any other circle.
What is the difference between a small circle and a great circle?
A small circle is a simple circle on a two dimensional plane. The great circle is the circle around a sphere that is on the plane that intersects with the center of the sphere. It is the reason that on a flat map the paths of planes seem to curve to go to and from Europe and the North American continent.
What line that goes from one side of the circle to the other?
In geometry it is called the "Great Circle".
