EUCLID

EUCLID

(300 B.C.)

Euclid is called the father of geometry. He was the Greek Mathematician and wrote the book ‘Elements’ the oldest mathematical work. The first printed version of Elements appeared in 1482 in Latin and the first English translation was published in 1570. It was used as a reference book until 20th century and regarded as a model of logical reasoning. It is understood that Euclid was educated in plato’s academy. He is supposed to have been taught in Alexandria.

‘Elements’ is a set of thirteen valumes which contain information about point, lines, circles, triangles, ratio and proportions, solid geometry and geometrical figures like sphere, pyramid etc., Euclidian geometry have become famous all over the world.

Euclid said, “There is no royal road to learning. In geometry all must go the same away.”

Once Euclid was teaching geometry to students. A student stood up and asked him. “Can you tell me just what is the practical advantage in studying geometry?”

Euclid didn’t answer him. He called his servant and said, “Give this gentleman some money. He cannot learn without money.”

Once few teacher asked Euclid to tell how to measure the height of a great pyramid as there is no way. But Euclid smiled. He measured the length of the Pyramid’s shadow at the precise time when the length of his shadow was exactly equal to his height.

Euclid said that is it impossible to become a theoretical researcher if one does not practice geometry. The other books written by Euclid are data, division of figures, phenomenon, surface, lociprisms, and cones common lessons in music.

In the middle of 19th century new methods different from that of Euclid were introduced and new books were published. They are called non Eucledian methods. David Hilbert was the pioneer of this new method in 1899. Albert Einstein took help from Euclidian geometry to develop his theory of relativity. He said that two events in his youth were important of which one is the study of Euclidian geometry at the age of 12.