An axiomatic system for affine spaces in terms of points, lines, and planes (Q265631)

Projective spaces allow a neat axiomatic characterization in terms of points, lines, and their incidences. In this context, the famous axiom of O. Veblen and J. Young from 1916 is crucial: ``If \(p_1\), \(p_2\), \(q_1\), \(q_2\) are four pairwise distinct points and the line \(p_1p_2\) intersects \(q_1q_2\), then also \(p_1q_1\) intersects \(p_2q_2\).'' The 20th century saw several attempts to provide axiomatic foundations for affine spaces but all of them leave the realm of pure incidence geometry. In this article, the authors presents three postulates on the incidence of points, lines, and planes and he proves equivalence with \textit{O. Tamaschke}'s axiomatic characterization of affine spaces [Projektive Geometrie. II. Mit einer Einführung in die affine Geometrie. Mannheim-Wien-Zürich: Bibliographisches Institut AG (1972; Zbl 0256.50008)]. The pivotal ``plane intersection postulate'' is modeled after the Veblen-Young axiom in above formulation: ``If \(x_1\), \dots, \(x_5\) are points, no three of which are collinear, and the planes \(x_1x_2x_3\) and \(x_1x_4x_5\) intersect in a line, then also the planes \(x_1x_2x_3\) and \(x_2x_4x_5\) intersect in a line.''