The Mathematician Euclid, Research Paper Example

Euclid was a famous mathematician.  A Greek mathematician, Euclid is believed to have lived around 300 BC (Ball 50).  Most known for his dramatic contributions to geometry, Euclid was active in other areas, such as conic sections, number theory, perspective, and mathematical rigor, among others.

Contributions to Geometry

Euclid is referred to as the “Father of Geometry.”  Learning from the students of Plato around Athens, Euclid went on to found a school located in Alexandria, Egypt.  His presence was well felt in light of his contributions to the field of geometry and general mathematics in this period.

Books on Geometry

Euclid’s Elements is composed of thirteen books in that of geometry.  It serves as the most complete mathematical records in Ancient Greece.  It’s prominence can be easily seen as it served as the foundation for teaching mathematics from its time to that in the late 19^th to early 20^th century, according to MacArdle (12).  It is also believed to be the second-most widely-printed and read book up to the 19^th century, second only to the Bible.

Euclid’s Elements remains a foundational work in mathematics.  It is also invaluable in the study of the history of mathematics, in order to gauge its impact on the mathematical and scientific community.  In much of the spirit of the Platonic Academy, it was designed for those who wanted to explore the meaning of life and philosophy, which were inextricably linked to mathematics.

Content of the Books

The books on geometry centered on basic principles to establish proofs and other geometric foundations.  For instance, in Book 1, Euclid takes logical steps to a proof of Pythagoras’s theorem.  Euclid guides the reader from these foundations to its application.

While the books contain a number of concepts that would seem difficult to grasp, this is not the case.  As previously described, Euclid sought to make geometry able to be grasped by anyone.  Thus, before the proof to Pythagoras’s theorem is given, Euclid presents twenty-three definitions.

These definitions are given in order to introduce the student to basic foundations in geometry.  For instance, Euclid begins with points and lines to other types of foundations, such as different types of triangles and other sided and rounded figures.  Euclid also emphasizes that these can appear physically or in one’s imagination.

The later books move away from plane geometry.  Books 5 through 10 observe capacities in ratios and proportions. Finally, Books 11 through 13 concentrate on special geometry. Inside these ranges it is not common to find books dedicated to a certain concept.

Conclusion

It is important to note that Euclid’s Elements is not his only contribution to mathematics.  However, this monumental contribution to the field of geometry overwhelmingly represents Euclid’s presence in mathematics, and extending towards other branches in science.  At any rate, Euclid certain remains one of the most influential and important figures in mathematics.  It would be fair to say that he is the most important figure specific to geometry, due to his remarkable Elements.

Works Cited

Ball, W.W. Rouse. A Short Account of the History of Mathematics. New York: Dover Publications, 1960.

MacArdle, Meredith. Scientists: Extraordinary People Who Altered the Course of History. New York: Metro Books, 2008.