scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1150554

MaRDI QIDQ4388797zbMATH OpenFDO

Authors John L. Heilbron

Publication date 10 May 1998

zbMATH Keywords

elementary geometryEuclid

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Mathematics in general (00A05) Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to history and biography (01-01) Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to geometry (51-01) History of geometry (51-03)

Review text

The book is an unusual introduction into elementary geometry and is based on a project to introduce history into the teaching of science and science into the teaching of history. Its starting point are two historical insights: Many cultures lacked the concepts of an axiomized deductive system. Perhaps the greatest help to students are relaxations of unnecessary rigor, reduction of superfluous propositions, and an introduction of practical examples. The readers should only know algebra and how to sharpen a pencil. About 60 postulates and propositions are taken from Euclid, another 60 are developed as problems. The author emphasizes the earthy origin of geometry and its applications to practical problems. Theorems and proofs appear as generalizations of relationships illustrated in special practical problems. There are 150 exercises (the solutions are always added) which are closely integrated into the expository text and many illustrations of high quality. The author wrote the book, as he confesses on page 45, in order to continue to reap and to repay the pleasure that studying geometry has given him.

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