Parallel facts for kids

The word parallel means things that are side-by-side and always stay the same distance apart. They never meet, no matter how far they go. Think of the two rails of a train track – they run parallel to each other. This idea of "parallel" shows up in many different areas, from math and science to language and even stories.

Parallel in Math and Geometry

When we talk about parallel lines in geometry, we mean two lines that are always the same distance apart and will never cross, even if you extend them forever. Imagine drawing two straight lines on a piece of paper that never get closer or farther apart. These are parallel lines. This idea is very important in understanding shapes and spaces.

Parallel Lines on a Map

On a globe or a map, a parallel is an imaginary line that goes around the Earth from east to west. These lines are called circles of latitude. They are all parallel to the equator, which is the biggest parallel line around the middle of the Earth. For example, the 38th parallel is a specific line of latitude that goes around the world. These lines help us find locations on Earth.

Parallel in Science and Technology

Parallel Electric Circuits

In electricity, a parallel circuit is a way to connect electronic parts so that the electricity has more than one path to flow through. Imagine a river splitting into several smaller streams that all flow to the same place. If one path breaks, the electricity can still flow through the other paths. This is different from a series circuit, where electricity flows through only one path. Parallel circuits are used in homes so that if one light bulb burns out, the others can still work.

Parallel Computing

Parallel computing is a way for computers to do many tasks at the same time. Instead of doing one thing after another, a computer with multiple processors can work on different parts of a problem all at once. This makes the computer much faster, especially for big and complex jobs like creating special effects in movies or running scientific simulations.

Parallel in Language

Parallelism in Grammar

In grammar, parallelism means using similar words, phrases, or clauses in a balanced way. It makes sentences sound smooth and clear. For example, instead of saying "She likes to swim, to hike, and reading," you would use parallelism and say "She likes to swim, to hike, and to read." All the parts are in the same form, which makes the sentence easy to understand and pleasant to hear.

Parallel Worlds and Ideas

Parallel Evolution

Parallel evolution happens when two different species, often living in similar environments, develop similar features independently. It's like they are evolving "in parallel" because they face similar challenges. For example, some types of marsupials in Australia have evolved to look very similar to placental mammals in other parts of the world, even though they are not closely related.

Parallel Universe

A parallel universe is a fascinating idea, often found in science fiction. It suggests that there might be other universes existing alongside our own. These other universes could be very similar to ours, or they could be completely different, with different histories and outcomes. It's a fun concept to think about, exploring "what if" possibilities.

"Parallel" in Pop Culture

• Parallel (manga) (ぱられる) is a Japanese comic book series for young readers, created by Toshihiko Kobayashi.
• Parallel 9 was a British children's television show that aired in the 1990s.