What is Euclidean geometry?
Euclidean geometry is named after
Euclid, the famous Greek mathematician.
It is geometry mostly based on Euclid’s
fifth postulate—the parallel postulate—
and is sometimes called parabolic geome-
try. Plane geometry is described as two-
dimensional Euclidean geometry, while
three-dimensional Euclidean geometry is
known as solid geometry.What was François Viète’s
contributionto geometry?
French mathematician François Viète (or
Franciscus Vieta, in Latin; 1540–1603),
although thought of as the “founder of
modern algebra,” also introduced a con-
nection between algebra, geometry, and
trigonometry. He also included trigonometric tables in his Canon Mathematicus
(1571), along with the theory behind their construction. (For more about Viète, see
“History of Mathematics” and “Algebra.”)What was Gaspard Monge’s connection to geometry?
French mathematician, physicist, and public official Gaspard Monge (also known as
Comte de Péluse; 1746–1818) was the first to lay down ideas about modern descriptive
geometry, a field that is essential to mechanical and architectural drawing. He is also
called the founder of differential geometry. As one of the founders of the École Poly-
technique, he served as professor of descriptive geometry, and around 1800 published
the first textbook on the subject based on his lectures, aptly called Géométrie descrip-
tive. Today, the system once called “géométrie descriptive” is now known as ortho-
graphic projection, a graphical method used in modern mechanical drawing.BASICS OF GEOMETRY
What is a mathematical space?
Outer space may be the “final frontier” to some people, but back on Earth there are
also numerous types of space in mathematics. For the most part, mathematical space
consists of points, sets, or vectors. Each space and the members of that space obey cer-
168 tain mathematical properties. Most spaces are named after their principal investigator,
Modern graphic designers and engineers use com-
puter animation programs to create three-dimen-
sional imagery on two-dimensional screens, thus
combining concepts of Euclidean geometry in mod-
ern-day technology. Taxi/Getty Images.