What is the output from the intersection of a polygon and a line?

When considering the intersection of a polygon and a line, the most common output is indeed a polygon but specifically in the context of how geographic information systems (GIS) handle these shapes. When a line intersects a polygon, the resulting output can form new shapes or alter the boundary of the polygon based on where the line crosses it.

If the line cuts through the polygon, it can create new edges, which are essentially the portions of the polygon that remain after the intersection. The intersection can be visualized as a new shape defined by the areas that fall within both the polygon and the path of the line. Therefore, if the line intersects the polygon, it can create a new polygon that reflects the area common to both shapes.

In contrast, the other options do not hold true universally. A line alone cannot represent the result of an intersection when dealing with polygons unless it is defined in a way that the intersection creates new boundaries, which ultimately results in a polygon as the defining output shape. The output cannot simply be a point unless there is only a single intersecting point, and not the full interaction of the two entities forming a new shape.