Cone

A cone is a circle that set off upward and became smaller with every step, until there was no circle left. The place where it ran out is called the point, and is the cone's proudest achievement.^[1]

The point of a cone is located wherever the cone stops. Geometers know it is the point because there is no more cone after it, and they know there is no more cone after it because it is the point. This reasoning has never been faulted, mainly because nobody can find the end of it.

Which way up

A cone has one flat end and one pointed end, and no agreement about which goes on top. The Apex-Upward tradition, followed by traffic cones and party hats, holds that the point belongs at the top, where it can be seen. The Apex-Downward tradition, followed by ice-cream cones, holds that the point belongs at the bottom, where it can be dripped on.^[2]

Each tradition regards the other as upside down. A cone lying on its side belongs to neither and is considered to have retired.

Volume

The volume of a cone is exactly one third of the cylinder it fits inside. Nobody knows where the other two thirds went, but the cylinder has been questioned and has an alibi.

See also

• Circle – what a cone was before it set off
• Mountain – a cone that kept the rocks

References

1. Apex, P. (1966). Getting Smaller on Purpose. Pointed Books. p. ⅓.
2. Wafer, W. (2003). “Upside Down, a Matter of Opinion”. Annals of Shape 12: drips.
3. Cylinder, C. (2009). Statement to investigators. Not charged.