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<topology> A result in topology stating that a continuous vector field on a sphere is always zero somewhere. The name comes from the fact that you can't flatten all the hair on a hairy ball, like a tennis ball, there will always be a tuft somewhere (where the tangential projection of the hair is zero). An immediate corollary to this theorem is that for any continuous map f of the sphere into itself there is a point x such that f(x)=x or f(x) is the antipode of x. Another corollary is that at any moment somewhere on the Earth there is no wind.
(2002-01-07)
Nearby terms: ha ha only serious « hair « hairy « hairy ball » HAKMEM » hakspek » HAL
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