Geometry is a historical Greek word which way to "measure the earth." The Greek mathematician Euclid in approximately 300 B.C., introduced his brilliant works on geometry in five volumes he called "The Elements." Euclid is considered to be the best mathematician who ever lived. His work was the foundation of all geometry before early 20th century and is called Euclidean geometry. Toward the end of the 19th century another view emerged and Euclidean Geometry has become regarded as you of numerous abstract mathematical doctrines. restoration
Plane and solid geometry as now studied in senior high school mathematics, coupled with applied algebra (called analytical geometry} is truly the science of measurement. The use of algebra to manipulate the dimensions of geometric figures is only one aspect of analytical geometry. In addition it makes for the representation of a place in a coordinate plane in space with a pair (or three in solid geometry), of coordinates, and the representation of lines and curves by equations.
All of the above leads to the truth that geometry is definitely the mathematical science of measurement. Analytic geometry is perhaps the most practical of the mathematical sciences as it allows us to use the results of an algebraic manipulation to a geometric figure and apply the resulting measurements into everyday applications. Without geometry, we would not have most of the luxuries of today's world, and definitely not our space and atomic programs. From the littlest of atoms to the vastness of space, it is truly the science of measurement.
As a retired mechanical engineer, mathematics was a way of everyday life, especially analytic geometry. Within my several years in product design and tooling I relied heavily on calculated measurements of geometric shapes to input into computer aided design (CAD) systems for product design and for computer aided machining (CAM) equipment to generate the tooling to produce the designed product. BBTanks
Presently I'm working with senior high school and college students as a mathematics tutor. From the tutoring experience I see that geometry seems to be the absolute most problematic for students to comprehend and retain. When algebra and trigonometry are added to the geometric figures to develop measurements, the plot will thicken. My evaluation for the reason why of the lack of understanding and interest has led me to the conclusion that a lot of applicable textbooks are clouded with proofs and constructions, not allowing the actual beauty of geometry to shine through as the science of measurement. Hence the thought of my book, Geometry Illustrated.
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