converge

Everyday

1. When lines, roads or rivers converge, they move towards each other and meet at one point. tree →
2. When people converge on a place, they come to it from different directions. tree →
3. When ideas or opinions converge, they become more alike. tree →
4. (maths) A series or sequence converges when it gets closer and closer to one fixed number. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and art, converging lines meet at a point, like railway tracks in a drawing with perspective. In science, light rays converge after passing through a magnifying glass (a converging lens). In news and stories, crowds «converge on» a square or a stadium. Opposite: diverge.

Examples

• The two roads converge just before the bridge. tree →
• Railway lines seem to converge in the distance. tree →
• Fans converged on the stadium from all over the city. tree →
• A magnifying glass makes rays of sunlight converge on one spot. tree →
• Police cars converged on the bank after the alarm rang. tree →
• Our ideas converged, and we agreed on one plan. tree →
• The sums 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + ... converge on 1. tree →

Note

Regular verb: converged, converging. Noun: convergence. Opposite: diverge (to move apart). In maths, «converges to 1» means the answers get as close to 1 as you like, though each sum alone may never reach it exactly.