Geometry originated in ancient Greece, where mathematicians such as Euclid developed the foundational principles and theorems that still form the basis of the discipline today.
A more detailed response to your inquiry
Geometry originated in ancient Greece around 300 BC, where mathematicians such as Euclid developed the foundational principles and theorems that still form the basis of the discipline today. The word “geometry” itself comes from the Greek words “geo,” meaning earth, and “metron,” meaning measurement.
One of the most famous works of ancient Greek geometry is Euclid’s “Elements,” a 13-book treatise on mathematics that covers a wide range of topics, from basic geometry to number theory. Even today, “Elements” is considered one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics, and its principles have been used for centuries.
According to mathematician and author Keith Devlin, “Geometry is the science of correct reasoning on incorrect figures.” This quote highlights the importance of geometry in helping us make sense of the world around us through precise measurements and calculations.
Here are some interesting facts about geometry:
- Geometry can be applied to a wide range of fields, including architecture, engineering, physics, art, and music.
- The Pythagorean Theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides, is one of the most well-known theorems in geometry.
- In ancient Egypt, geometry was used to survey land and create accurate maps of the Nile River.
- Non-Euclidean geometry, which goes against some of the principles outlined in Euclid’s “Elements,” was first developed in the 19th century and has since played an important role in modern physics and the theory of relativity.
- Some of the most famous geometric shapes include the circle, triangle, square, and hexagon.
Table of geometric shapes and their properties:
| Shape | Number of sides | Angles | Perimeter formula | Area formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | 0 (continuous) | n/a | 2πr | πr² |
| Triangle | 3 | 3 | a+b+c | ½bh |
| Square | 4 | 4 | 4s | s² |
| Hexagon | 6 | 6 | 6s | 3√3/2s² |
Associated video
The video covers the contribution of Ancient Greeks and the Pythagoreans in revolutionizing mathematics, philosophy and government. The Pythagoreans’ work on shapes such as circles, rectangles and triangles paved the way for the development of geometry, which was considered as a form of inquiry with completely objective answers. The Pythagoreans viewed mathematics as the study of divine perfection in physical form and their mystic beliefs, although some were found to be untrue, made significant contributions to mathematics that are still being used today.
Further answers can be found here
History of geometry Beginning about the 6th century bce, the Greeks gathered and extended this practical knowledge and from it generalized the abstract subject now known as geometry, from the combination of the Greek words geo (“Earth”) and metron (“measure”) for the measurement of the Earth.
Geometry, from Greek (Geometria) = Measuring of the earth.The word is etymologically more than justified, since geometry began from the need to measure the fields.When, for example, the fields in Ancient Egypt were inundated by the annual overflowing of the Nile, people needed a way to ‘measure the earth’ so that everybody could find his own parcel after the recession of the waters.It is perhaps no coincidence that Euclid, the Father of Geometry as we know it, lived in Egypt.It is there where Ptolemy the Ist., ‘Soter’, first (greek) king of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great, upon reading Euclid’s work ‘Elements’, allegedly asked Euclid if he could show him an easier way to the comprehension of Geometry.He got the famous answer by Euclid, = There doesn’t exist a royal trail to geometry.
Moreover, people are interested
Besides, Who first invented geometry? Euclid
Euclid, often called the father of geometry, changed the way we learn about shapes with his 13-book series, Euclid’s Elements. He used basic ideas called axioms or postulates to create solid proofs and figure out new ideas called theorems and propositions.
Besides, What did geometry begin as? In the beginning geometry was a collection of rules for computing lengths, areas, and volumes. Many were crude approximations derived by trial and error. This body of knowledge, developed and used in construction, navigation, and surveying by the Babylonians and Egyptians, was passed to the Greeks.
Where was geometry first discovered? The answer is: Geometry was not discovered by one single person. It first began in ancient Egypt around 2000 BC. The Pharaoh created a tax on the crop growers and the tax was calculated by finding the area of each crop grower’s land by the Nile. Greek and French mathematicians made discoveries as well.
Is geometry from Greek? Answer: Abstract. The word geometry is derived from two Greek words, namely γη, gē, which means earth and μετρον, metron, which means measure. Our sources on early Greek geometry — and mathematics in general, for that matter — are sparse.