He is one of the most famous and influential mathematicians in ancient Greece. His most famous work, Elements of Geometry, is the foundation of European mathematics. The Elements of Geometry has a great influence on the future development of geometry, mathematics and science, and is widely regarded as the most successful textbook in history. Let's learn the story of Euclid and geometry.

Euclid

Euclid (325- 265 BC), a mathematician in the Greek era, was called "the father of geometry". He is famous for "Elements of Geometry" and studied in Plato's Academy. He accepted Greek classical mathematics and various scientific cultures and became a famous scholar at the age of 30.

Later, at the invitation of King Ptolemy of Egypt, he moved from Athens to Alexandria to engage in mathematics teaching and research. According to records, Ptolemy I Soter, the ruler of Alexandria, asked him if there was a simple way to learn geometry. Euclid replied that in geometry, there is no paved road for kings. This sentence later became a learning proverb handed down through the ages.

He was rigorous in his studies all his life. The Elements of Geometry 13 is the earliest axiomatic mathematics work in the world. In his book Elements of Geometry, he put forward five postulates, which became the basis of European mathematics. Euclidean geometry is widely regarded as a classic in the field of mathematics. It affects the development of science and culture and the cultivation of scientific and technological talents in past dynasties.

Geometry originally

The Elements of Geometry is considered as the most successful textbook in history, with a total volume of 13. Based on 23 definitions, 5 postulates and 5 axioms in 1,19 volumes, 465 definitions, 465 propositions and proofs are given, including some contents of plane geometry, solid geometry and elementary number theory.

The core of geometry is axiomatic method. That is, based on the original concept and a set of axioms without proof, other propositions are deduced by using the rules of pure logical reasoning.

In addition, The Elements of Geometry developed the mathematical thinking method. Euclid created many proof methods, including synthesis, analysis and reduction to absurdity, division by turns, geometric algebra, etc., which not only expounded the proportional theory, but also skillfully solved many classical problems. The extensive application of exhaustive method has developed this mathematical method, which is the embryonic form of calculus thinking method.