Euclid as the father of geometry | Introduction to Euclidean geometry | Geometry | Khan Academy

We don't normally delve too far into history when talking about math, but sometimes it's important to have perspective about how some of our math concepts came about and how influential they have become.

Geometry on Khan Academy: We are surrounded by space. And that space contains lots of things. And these things have shapes. In geometry we are concerned with the nature of these shapes, how we define them, and what they teach us about the world at large--from math to architecture to biology to astronomy (and everything in between). Learning geometry is about more than just taking your medicine ("It's good for you!"), it's at the core of everything that exists--including you. Having said all that, some of the specific topics we'll cover include angles, intersecting lines, right triangles, perimeter, area, volume, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, analytic geometry, and geometric constructions. Wow. That's a lot. To summarize: it's difficult to imagine any area of math that is more widely used than geometry.

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Subscribe to Khan Academy’s Geometry channel:

[davidg.]

This is my first Geometry class since about 1991 and its pretty moderate challenging and I remember literally ZERO. So why on Earth would I take this class, again. I never loved Geometry but I find it important. I will never be a Scientist or Engineer but I feel this massive internal fire to learn as much as I can for general knowledge, and its fun. So I am getting through it at a slow pace but moving along . Some videos I had to re-watch about 3 times to grasp it. The proofs are the hardest part of Geometry for me. I think after this its on to Trig and I will finish up my math quest with Probability !!!!

[Panagiotis]

Guys, no one claims that Euclid was the first mathematician who worked on geometry. And it is common knowledge that Egyptians, Babylonians and many others were using geometry long before Euclid. He is called father of geometry not because he created these theorems (maybe he did not create any of them) but for PROVING them. In mathematics nothing can be accepted without a proof.

[bruxonegro]

I was impressed with the different translations of your work, I'm Brazilian, and the earth needs more people like you.

[fiazB]

videos like these are almost as much essential as the problem solving videos.
.. these inspires ppl to know more about mathematics and delve deeper into this beautiful field.

[wcovey]

Thales: (624 – 545 BC) Greek, a philosopher, a mathematician, an astronomer, founder of physical science, and credited with founding geometry,

[JT-ztuq]

I'm a pilot and I am watching these videos to help sharpen my mind and hopefully become better at what I do. THANK YOU so much for sharing your knowledge with me!

[jamesbooher]

Man, I always wanted to learn more than was traditionally thought needed for my age group (Freshmen in High School) so now I'm going to use my thanksgiving break to learn from Geometry up through Probability and Statistics, Breaking the system FTW!!! (My math teacher is gonna be mad...)

[BenzMusic]

This is interesting. My grandfathers name was Euclides and he made wooden furniture which obviously involves geometry.

[dsakjet]

The way geometry and all mathematics is built from proof is beautiful.We take axioms(self-evident truths or assumptions) and through a series of logical steps, arrive at a conclusion which is undoubtedly true, if your axioms were true and you made no new assumptions.Then we use what we prove (theorems) to prove other things.Such is the power of deductive reasoning.(`I`m 15)

[animqionboi.]

Thank you SCP ILLUSTRATED, really cool

[katieellenincdotcom]

41 trying to get into school and having to take wonderlic which now i know has multiple geometric type questions. I want this book!

[Hellsconsort]

I would like to see you do videos on languages and linguistics. Not sure how popular that would be, just adding mine.

[ZeusTelemaxos]

Mr. Khan you have resurrected the Library of Alexandria. Alexanders Dream of a library where people could go and self teach themselves for Free !. Thank you ! Hopefully more academics will join you and you can have videos on Higher Math and Science. Congratulations on a fantastic venture.

[bronzedivision]

I can also say that Euclid is a great cure for insomnia, as he really does cover EVERYTHING no matter how needless. Much of the book(s) is just page after page of tables and theorems that end with some or other form of a note that basically says don't read me again Absurd, False or Contradiction very few sections end with True or Correct and form the bases of geometry.

[engineerc]

Have to say, Geometry is probably one of my favorite mathematical subjects. I just love going outside & looking at all the stars that make geometric figures.

[unit]

Your comment was short, fast, and to the point. You deserve a cookie.

[synergyyachtsalesconsultin]

Euclid your math was great - Good thing we didn't leave it to fate - you taught us about math through music and astronomy - you didn't believe in inequalities - your geometry was Quality - Now we gaze at the stars and from your math we can go to Mars -SquareMemes

[mcjae]

this was actually pretty cool. I decided to watch this and fill out a worksheet for school extra credit, and i was thinking, oh no a boring 8 minute video, but this was actually interesting.

[MrEddieBTV]

@therealjordiano I know it wouldn't help everyone, but for me, it seems to draw a fuller picture of what's going on. I can't really explain it right now for some reason, but it helps.

[rbellot]

The earliest known texts on geometry are the Egyptian Rhind Papyrus (2000–1800 BC) and Moscow Papyrus (c. 1890 BC), the Babylonian clay tablets such as Plimpton 322 (1900 BC). For example, the Moscow Papyrus gives a formula for calculating the volume of a truncated pyramid, or frustum. South of Egypt the ancient Nubians established a system of geometry including early versions of sun clocks. Earliest recorded beginnings of geometry can be traced to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt in the 2nd mill BC.