ADAM CLEMENTS – SME 430 – Discussion Post #7 – 3/2/2010

Complete the readings for this week and then post your reflections to the prompts below:

Non-Euclidean Geometry
• How is non-Euclidean Geometry different than Euclidean Geometry? Give an
example.
o Non-Euclidean Geometry is different than Euclidean Geometry in that it
emphasizes its logical opposition to Euclid’s geometry. For example in Euclidean
geometry it is possible to have two triangles that are similar but not congruent. In
non-Euclidean geometries, if corresponding angles of two triangles are equal, then
the triangles must be congruent. Another difference is that the sum of a triangle
varies according to the type of geometry you are using. In Euclidean geometry it
is exactly 180 degrees. In non-Euclidean geometry it can be less than or great
than 180 degrees.

• Which of Euclid’s 5 postulates is not true in spherical geometry. Explain.

o Euclid's postulate of parallel lines is not true in spherical geometry. This is
because arcs and the lines of a circle that divide the sphere into two equal parts
are considered to be parallel lines.

• Explain why the statement, “Euclidean Geometry is better than non-Euclidean

geometries.” is an unfair statement to make.
o Often we think of what comes first is what is right. Thus Euclidean Geometry is
often viewed as “true” or the “right” and the others as odd and different. It
shouldn’t be about what is true but what works. Geometry is a tool to proving,
designing, and creating. So if something else can help you to solve the problem
or create the idea, why not use it? A surveyor or builder will use Euclidean
because it works for such things. But an astronomer will use non-Euclidean
Geometry because it allows them to study distant galaxies. They are simply
different tools for different purposes; one does not trump the other.

Projective Geometry
• What motivated the development of projective geometry?
o During the Renaissance, artists looked for ways to mirror the reality they saw
around them on paper or canvas. So they needed ways of how to portray depth on
a flat surface (perspective). Leone Battista Alberti was the most influential Italian
artist to study perspective. He looked at how related images can have their
relationship described mathematically motivating a new field of mathematics
called projective geometry.

• What is the principle of duality? Explain with an example.

o When a statement holds true and when you can rearrange its parts and it too holds
true, then the principle of duality exists and each of the two statements is the dual
of the other.
o Ex: “Two points determine exactly one line and two lines determine one point.”
• Perspective in Art
o What is the description of perspective
 Perspective is the portrayal of depth on a flat surface.
o Perform a google search to find two pieces of art;
 1 from before perspective was used:
• http://artfiles.art.com/5/p/LRG/20/2033/DME4D00Z/egyptian-art-
nefertari.jpg
 1 from after perspective:
• http://www.mcescher.com/Biography/lw435f2.jpg
o How did the use of perspective change the perception and purpose of art in
society?
 Before perspective, art was simply used to tell as story like Egypt art.
After however, art became more about “recreation of the real” especially
during realism. Thus how exact you could get something to look like it
did when you looked at it became the goal. So perspective became very
important. Art was about enjoyment, and appealing to people’s emotions
and creating enjoyment.