CERTAIN UNDEFINED ELEMENTS AND TACIT ASSUMPTIONS IN THE FIRST BOOK OF EUCLID'S ELEMENTS

For twenty-one centuries the spirit of Euclid has reigned supreme over elementary geometry. For the greater part of this time the terms “Euclid’s Elements” and “Geometry” have been all but synonymous. In no other science save theology has a single book held undisputed sway for unnumbered generations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Mathematics teacher Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 41 - 60
Main Author Webb, Harrison E.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Association of Teachers of Mathematics in the Middle States and Maryland 01.12.1919
Subjects
Axioms
Circles
Geometric angles
Geometric planes
Geometry
Mathematical theorems
Mathematics teachers
Parallel lines
Symmetry
Triangles
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ISSN0025-5769
2330-0582
DOI10.5951/MT.12.2.0041

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Summary:For twenty-one centuries the spirit of Euclid has reigned supreme over elementary geometry. For the greater part of this time the terms “Euclid’s Elements” and “Geometry” have been all but synonymous. In no other science save theology has a single book held undisputed sway for unnumbered generations. Educational reformers have often pointed to this universal acceptance of Euclidean authority as an evidence of dead conservatism on the part of teachers. It is due rather to recognition of the unparalleled skill of the great Elementarist, whose text still stands as the best among the thousands which have been written on the subject, and whose methods are so simple and direct as to be well within the abilities of a beginner.
ISSN:0025-5769
2330-0582
DOI:10.5951/MT.12.2.0041