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Euclidean and Non Euclidean Geometry

Euclidean geometry is based on the work of Euclid and describes flat, two-dimensional space where things like the sum of angles in a triangle equaling 180 degrees hold true. In the 19th century, non-Euclidean geometries emerged that explored curved spaces where Euclid's parallel postulate and other rules did not apply. Riemannian geometry describes positively curved spaces like spheres where the sum of angles is greater than 180 degrees. Hyperbolic geometry describes negatively curved spaces like saddles where the sum of angles is less than 180 degrees. These non-Euclidean geometries led to new understandings of geometry and its applications.

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Giorgi Balkhamishvili
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559 views5 pages

Euclidean and Non Euclidean Geometry

Euclidean geometry is based on the work of Euclid and describes flat, two-dimensional space where things like the sum of angles in a triangle equaling 180 degrees hold true. In the 19th century, non-Euclidean geometries emerged that explored curved spaces where Euclid's parallel postulate and other rules did not apply. Riemannian geometry describes positively curved spaces like spheres where the sum of angles is greater than 180 degrees. Hyperbolic geometry describes negatively curved spaces like saddles where the sum of angles is less than 180 degrees. These non-Euclidean geometries led to new understandings of geometry and its applications.

Uploaded by

Giorgi Balkhamishvili
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Euclidean 

and Non-Euclidean Geometry


Topic Index | Geometry Index | Regents Exam Prep Center

Euclidean Geometry (the high school geometry we all know and love) is the
study of geometry based on definitions, undefined terms (point, line and plane) and the
assumptions of the mathematician Euclid (330 B.C.)

Euclid's text Elements was the first systematic discussion of geometry.  While many of Euclid's
findings had been previously stated by earlier Greek mathematicians, Euclid is credited with
developing the first comprehensive deductive system.  Euclid's approach to geometry consisted
of proving all theorems from a finite number of postulates (axioms).  
 
Euclidean Geometry is the study of flat space.  We can
easily illustrate these geometrical concepts by drawing on
a flat piece of paper or chalkboard.  In flat space, we
know such concepts as:
 

 the shortest distance between two points is one


unique straight line.

 the sum of the angles in any triangle equals 180


degrees.

 the concept of perpendicular to a line can be illustrated as seen in the


picture at the right.

In his text, Euclid stated his fifth postulate, the famous parallel postulate, in the following
manner:

If a straight line crossing two straight lines makes the interior angles on the
same side less than two right angles, the two straight lines, if extended
indefinitely, meet on that side on which are the angles less than the two
right angles.
Today, we know the parallel postulate as simply stating:

Through a point not on a line, there is no more than one line parallel to the
line.
 

The concepts in Euclid's geometry remained unchallenged until the early 19th century.  At that
time, other forms of geometry started to emerge, called non-Euclidean geometries.  It was no
longer assumed that Euclid's geometry could be used to describe all physical space.

non-Euclidean geometries:  are any forms of geometry that contain a


postulate (axiom) which is equivalent to the negation of the Euclidean parallel postulate. 

Examples:
1.  Riemannian Geometry  (also called elliptic geometry or spherical geometry):  A
non-Euclidean geometry using as its parallel postulate any statement equivalent to the
following:

If  l is any line and P is any point not on l , then there are no lines through P
that are parallel to l .

Riemannian Geometry is named for the German mathematician,


Bernhard Riemann, who in 1889 rediscovered the work of Girolamo
Saccheri (Italian) showing certain flaws in Euclidean Geometry.
Riemannian Geometry is the study of curved surfaces.  Consider what would happen if instead
of working on the Euclidean flat piece of paper, you work on a curved surface, such as a sphere. 
The study of Riemannian Geometry has a direct connection to our daily existence since we live
on a curved surface called planet Earth. 
What effect does working on a sphere, or a curved space,  have
on what we think of as geometrical truths? 

 In curved space, the sum of the angles of any triangle is


now always greater than 180°.
 
 On a sphere, there are no straight lines.  As soon as you
start to draw a straight line, it curves on the sphere.
 

 In curved space, the shortest distance between any two points (called
ageodesic) is not unique.  For example, there are many geodesics
between the north and south poles of the Earth (lines of longitude) that
are not parallel since they intersect at the poles. 

 In curved space, the concept of perpendicular to a line can be illustrated


as seen in the picture at the right.

2.  Hyperbolic Geometry (also called saddle geometry or Lobachevskian


geometry):   A non-Euclidean geometry using as its parallel postulate any statement
equivalent to the following:

If  l is any line and P is any point not on l , then there exists at least two
lines through P that are parallel to l .

Lobachevskian Geometry is named for the Russian mathematician,


Nicholas Lobachevsky, who, like Riemann, furthered the studies of non-
Euclidean Geometry.
 
Hyperbolic Geometry is the study of a saddle shaped space.  Consider
what would happen if instead of working on the Euclidean flat piece of
paper, you work on a curved surface shaped like the outer surface of a
saddle or a Pringle's potato chip. 
Unlike Riemannian Geometry, it is more difficult to see practical applications of Hyperbolic
Geometry.  Hyperbolic geometry does, however, have applications to certain areas of science
such as the orbit prediction of objects within intense gradational fields, space travel and
astronomy.  Einstein stated that space is curved and his general theory of relativity uses
hyperbolic geometry.

What effect does working on a saddle shaped


surface  have on what we think of as geometrical
truths? 

 In hyperbolic geometry, the sum of the


angles of a triangle is less than 180°.
 
 In hyperbolic geometry, triangles with the
same angles have the same areas.

 There are no similar triangles in hyperbolic geometry. 

 In hyperbolic space, the concept of perpendicular to a line can be


illustrated as seen in the picture at the right.

 Lines can be drawn in hyperbolic space that are parallel (do not intersect).  Actually,
many lines can be drawn parallel to a given line through a given point.
 

Graphically speaking, the hyperbolic saddle shape is called


ahyperbolic paraboloid, as seen at the right.   

It has been said that some of the works of artist M. C. Escher illustrate hyperbolic geometry.  In
his work Circle Limit III (follow the link below), the effect of a hyperbolic space's negative
curve on the sum of the angles in a triangle can be seen.   Escher's print illustrates a model
devised by French mathematician Henri Poincare for visualizing the theorems of hyperbolic
geometry, the orthogonal circle.

M. C. Escher web site:  http://www.mcescher.com


Choose Galleries:  Recognition and Success 1955-1972:  Circle Limit III
 

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