A convex hull is the smallest convex shape that can enclose a set of points in a plane or space. Imagine stretching a rubber band around a group of nails hammered into a board; when released, the band forms the convex hull around the nails. This concept is widely used in computational geometry, computer graphics, and various optimization problems. In mathematical terms, a convex hull can be defined as the intersection of all convex sets containing the points. It is essential for algorithms in fields like machine learning, robotics, and geographic information systems (GIS), where understanding the boundaries of data points is crucial for analysis and decision-making.