Fall 2017

Geometry

Listed in: Mathematics and Statistics, as MATH-255

Faculty

Gabriel E. Sosa Castillo (Section 01)

Description

About 2300 years ago, Euclid introduced the axiomatic method to mathematics in his geometry textbook, the Elements.  In this book, Euclid deduced the theorems of geometry from a small number of simple axioms about points, lines, and circles.  Among his axioms is the parallel axiom, which asserts that if we are given a line and a point not on the line, then there is a unique line through the given point that is parallel to the given line.

Over 2000 years after Euclid, mathematicians discovered that by replacing Euclid's parallel axiom with its negation, we can develop a different kind of geometry in which we still have geometric objects like triangles and circles, but many of the theorems and formulas are different.  For example, the sum of the angles of a triangle will always be less than 180 degrees, and this sum will determine the area of the triangle.

In this course we will study both Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry.  We will also consider the fascinating history of how non-Euclidean geometry was discovered.  Four class hours per week. 

Requisite:  Mathematics 121.  Fall semester.  Professor Sosa Castillo.

MATH 255 - LEC

Section 01
M 09:00 AM - 09:50 AM MERR 300A
Tu 09:00 AM - 09:50 AM MERR 300A
W 09:00 AM - 09:50 AM MERR 300A

MATH 255 - DIS

Section 01
F 09:00 AM - 09:50 AM MERR 403

This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.

ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
Foundations of Geometry Pearson Gerard A. Venema Amherst Books TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2011, Fall 2015, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2020, Spring 2022