Euclidean geometry: the only and the first in the past

THE 5th EUCLIDS AXIOM

If two lines m and l meet a third line n, so as to make
the sum of angles 1 and 2 less than 180, then the lines
m and l meet on that side of the line n on which the
angles 1 and 2 lie. If the sum is 180 then m and l are
parallel

Playfairs axiom:given a line g and a point P not

on that line, there is one and only one line g on
the plane of P and g which passes through P and
does not meet g

Playfairs axiom didnt satisfy mathematicians

18th century Mathematicians : a new tack

Saccheri: demonstration by contradiction

GAUSS
A genius child
Many scientific interests
Challenge to Euclids axiom: given a point P outside
a line l there are more than one parallel line through P
a new kind of geometry!
Fear of publishing studies
After his death his work discovered

FROM GAUSS TO
LOBACHEVSKY & BOLYAI
Gauss: the first to discover the non
Euclidean geometry but unknown
Fame to Lobachevsky & Bolyai : first to
publish works about non Euclidean
geometry

GAUSSS NON-EUCLIDEAN
GEOMETRY
New Axiom:
Gausss parallel axiom

Gausss non
Euclidean
geometry:
based on
contradiction of
5th Euclidean
axiom

Given a line l and a point P. There are

infinite non secant and two parallel lines
to l through P
Creating new theorems
Sum of internal angles in triangle <180
Triangle area depends on sum of its
angles
If two triangles have equal angles
respectively, they are congruent
Angle A depends on distance l-P

RIEMANNS NONEUCLIDEAN GEOMETRY

19th mathematician's interest in
second axiom
Riemann: endlessness and infinite
length of straight lines
Alternative to Euclides parallel axiom
Saccheri and Gauss : similarities and
differences with Riemann
Georg Friedrich Bernhard Riemann
(1826-1866)

NEW INTERPRETATION OF
LINES
Cylindrical surface Euclidean theorems
continue to hold.
Model of Riemanns non Euclidean
geometry: spherical surface.

THE APPLICABILITY OF
NON-EUCLIDEAN
GEOMETRIES
Non-Euclidean geometries:
Applicable?
More functional?
More effective?
Impossible answers

Euclidean geometry :
taken for granted

New geometries
Rejected
Just mathematical
speculation
Mans experience

INITIAL CONCEPTS
1. Point
2. Line
3. Plane
Cannot be directly defined
Properties defined by axioms

NON-EUCLIDEAN
GEOMETRIES
All perpendiculars to a line meet in a
point
Triangles: sum of angles more than
180
Why Greeks didnt hit upon non
Euclidean geometries

NON-EUCLIDEAN
GEOMETRIES
Application of non Euclidean geometry:
surveyors example
Relativity theory: path of light in
space-time system

MATHS Vs SCIENCE
Maths doesnt offer
truths
Maths can evolve
Maths needs axioms
Maths works with
numbers
Maths uses
deductive method

Science uses
experimental
method
Science works
with energies,
masses,
velocities and
forces

IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR

CULTURE
Non Euclidean geometry revolutionized
science
Mathematical laws are merely natures
approximate descriptions
Experiences confirm Euclidean geometry
Philosophers cannot prove truths
Human minds limits

Written by all 5aC students:

M. Alberghini, L. Barbieri, R. Bellini, L. Bortolamasi, L. Bovini,
M. Briamo, S. A. Brundisini, V. Ceccarelli, G. Cervellati,M. Ignesti,
S. Milani, E. Nicotera, L. Porcarelli, S. Quadretti, S. Romano,
M. Sturniolo, G. Tarozzi, G. S. Virgallito, M. Zanotti, F. Zoni
Slideshow by:
Lorenzo Bovini, Marco Sturniolo, Giulia Tarozzi
A special thank to the teachers that have this project
made possible Mrs Maria Luisa Pozzi Lolli and Mrs
Angela Rambaldi