Euclidean geometry

A Greek mathematician (possibly Euclid or Archimedes) performin a geometric construction wi a compass, frae The School of Athens bi Raphael

Euclidean geometry is a mathematical seestem attributit tae the Alexandrian Greek mathematician Euclid, which he described in his textbeuk on geometry: the Elements. Euclid's method consists in assumin a smaa set o intuitively appealin axioms, an deducin mony ither proposeetions (theorems) frae these. Altho mony o Euclid's results haed been statit bi earlier mathematicians, Euclid wis the first tae shaw hou these proposeetions could fit intae a comprehensive deductive an logical seestem. The Elements begins wi plane geometry, still taught in seicontary schuil as the first axiomatic seestem an the first examples o formal pruif. It gangs on tae the solit geometry o three dimensions. Much o the Elements states results o what are nou cried algebra an nummer theory, explained in geometrical leid.

References

Citit soorces

• Eves, Howard (1963). A Survey of Geometry. Allyn and Bacon.