hairy ball theorem

proper noun

A theorem stating that there is no nonvanishing continuous tangent vector field on the sphere; colloquially, that "you can't comb a hairy ball flat without creating a cowlick".

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Meanings

proper nounthe hairy ball theorem
  1. mathematicsA theorem stating that there is no nonvanishing continuous tangent vector field on the sphere; colloquially, that "you can't comb a hairy ball flat without creating a cowlick".

Translations

Russian теоре́ма о причёсывании ежа́
  • теоре́ма о причёсывании ежа́ (teoréma o pričósyvanii ježá)theorem of algebraic topology
Cite this entry
APA

hairy ball theorem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hairy%20ball%20theorem

MLA

“hairy ball theorem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hairy%20ball%20theorem. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hairy ball theorem,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hairy%20ball%20theorem.

Source: hairy ball theorem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.