On the notion of equal figures in Euclid

DOI10.1007/S13366-022-00649-9arXiv2008.12643OpenAlexW3082887384MaRDI QIDQ6174569FDOQ6174569

Authors: Michael Beeson 

Publication date: 17 August 2023

Published in: Beiträge zur Algebra und Geometrie (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Euclid uses an undefined notion of "equal figures", to which he applies the common notions about equals added to equals or subtracted from equals. When (in previous work) we formalized Euclid Book~I for computer proof-checking, we had to add fifteen axioms about undefined relations "equal triangles" and "equal quadrilaterals" to replace Euclid's use of the common notions. In this paper, we offer definitions of "equal triangles" and "equal quadrilaterals", that Euclid could have given, and prove that they have the required properties. This removes the need for adding new axioms. The proof uses the theory of proportions. Hence we also discuss the "early theory of proportions", which has a long history.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2008.12643

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zbMATH Keywords

areaEuclidean geometryEuclidequal figures

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Foundations of classical theories (including reverse mathematics) (03B30) History of geometry (51-03) Euclidean geometries (general) and generalizations (51M05) Elementary problems in Euclidean geometries (51M04) Geometric constructions in real or complex geometry (51M15)

Cites Work

• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Axiomatizing changing conceptions of the geometric continuum. I: Euclid-Hilbert
• Proof-checking Euclid
• DE ZOLT’S POSTULATE: AN ABSTRACT APPROACH
• Euclid after Computer Proof-Checking

Cited In (2)

• Title not available (Why is that?)
• The obscurity of the equimultiples. Clavius' and Galileo's foundational studies of Euclid's theory of proportions

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