square-cube law
noun1
The mathematical principle that, as a shape grows in size, its volume grows faster than its surface area. Specifically, when an object undergoes a proportional increase in size, its new surface area is proportional to the square of the multiplier and its new volume is proportional to the cube of the multiplier.
- The square-cube law helps to explain why large mammals like elephants have a harder time cooling themselves than smaller ones like mice.
- Synonyms
- cube-square law