Introduction:
Geometry is a lot more than proofs, formulas and calculations that fill up the text books. It is used every day by the engineers and scientists, who are responsible for the beautifully structured world around us. But geometry is not limited to science only; it’s an art, being used in simpler and fun ways. People playing pool bring geometry in use in many ways without even realizing the fact that they are playing with mathematics.
Christine Cam, writes in an article ‘How to use Geometry in Billiards’;
“Geometry and physics are essential parts of the game of billiards. Every shot in a pool game is based on forming perfect angles.”
Pool basically is a classic game being enjoyed for centuries by many. ‘Billiard’ is another term often used in place of pool. Initially it was played on a six pocket table with one red and two white balls. The modernized form of pool has the six pocket table as of the classic game, but has fifteen Multi colored balls, distinguished by solids or stripes.
‘Pool’: A Game of Sciences
Geometry and physics are the two sciences that are used in pool. Physics determines the dimension and magnitude of the ball’s reaction. Where as geometric formulas can be used to determine the accurate path of the cue ball (the ball with which the stroke is played) along with the other balls. Having good knowledge on these concepts of physics and geometry especially the usage of angles and the rotation concept can make one a better pool player.
Understanding the Angles:
With the first look at the pool table one can see angles every where. The very first view is a rectangular table, taking out the corner pockets, at each corner there will be 900 angles. Along each side of the table there are ‘diamonds’ which are the inlaid markings. These help in forming an aiming system used for the bank shots. Basically there are only two types of shots; the first one is the straight shot in which the cue ball hits straight another ball which travels directly to the pocket. The other kind of shot is the bank shot, in which either the target ball or the cue ball bounces off the rail moving towards the pocket.
In order to make a bank shot, the player needs to know much about angles and dimensions. Imagine a bank shot as a triangle, considering the triangle base as the rail from where you shoot and the ball’s path as the sides of the triangle. If the player is able to create perfect imagery of the right triangle, he can succeed to sink the ball in every shot. Pool players fortunately do not essentially need to use calculators and protectors to make the bank shots, yet they might think to try measuring few angles with the help of a protector till they get sure about the accuracy of the shot they are going to make and finally bank the ball.
Making the right angle; an illustration:
Besides the bank shots and the cue shots, using the diamond system also requires precise usage of the angles. Derek Gerry in his article “You Can't Play Pool without Geometry”; illustrates an example of how to create a perfect imagery of the right angle in order to make a perfect shot.
First of all hold the cue in a way that the cue is in accurate line over the cue and the target ball. Then tilt the cue at an angle with its tip directed in the same direction as the desired corner pockets to be hit. Now mark this spot with a penny, behind the target on the rail. Then using the cue stick, determine the path between the corner pocket and the penny. The angles so formed must match up forming a hypotenuse and the penny shall be in the centre of the two diamonds situated next to the corner pocket which should be opposite to the target pocket you want to hit. As known that for geometry, the sum of all the three angles in the triangle equals to 180 degrees. This makes the mathematics of pool shots very comfortable. Once you have managed to create a right angled triangle, you can easily hit the target ball through cue ball at an angle of 45 degrees.
Geometry allows the player to determine the position to aim very precisely in order to make an accurate shot. Once the target is set at perfect angle, and is hit with the required amount of force, you can bank the ball in the corner pocket with absolute precision every time.
Conclusion:
It is very well said that ‘“You Can't Play Pool without Geometry”. Geometry is involved in every step of playing pool without which one is unable to play the game with much success. The science truly makes the pool easier by directing towards the exact measurements and calculations of shapes, areas and angles, which are required to play the game at an expert level. Pool shooting becomes pretty simple to those who master the science of geometry.
Works Cited
‘How to use Geometry in Billiards’. ehow. n.d. Christine Cam.web. http://www.ehow.com/how_2313335_use-geometry-billiards.html. Accessed. [28 April 2013]
‘The Geometry of Pool’ . Carol. n.d. http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/webgeometryca.html . Accessed. [28 April 2013]
‘You Can't Play Pool without Geometry’. Derek Gerry. http://www.life123.com/parenting/education/geometry/cant-play-pool-without-geometry.shtml.
Accessed. [28 April 2013]
