Cynthia Lanius

Thanks to PBS for permission to use the Pyramid photo.

History of Geometry

c. 2000 - 500 B.C.

Ancient Egyptians demonstrated a practical knowledge of geometry through surveying and construction projects. The Nile River overflowed its banks every year, and the river banks would have to be re-surveyed. See a PBS Nova unit on those big pointy buildings. In the Rhind Papyrus, pi is approximated.

c. 2000 - 500 B.C.


c. 750-250 B.C.


The Fifth Postulate Controversy
c. 400 B.C. - 1800 A. D.




The Search for pi
??? B.C. - present

It seems to have been known from most ancient of times that the ratio of the circumference and diameter of a circle is a constant, but what is that constant? A search for a better answer to that question has intrigued mathematicians throughout history.
Coordinate Geometry
c. 1600 A.D.


Non-Euclidean Geometries
c. early 1800's

Since mathematicians couldn't prove the 5th postulate, they devised new geometries with "strange" notions of parallelism. (A geometry with no parallel lines?!?) Bolyai and Lobachevsky are credited with devising the first non-euclidean geometries.

Differential Geometry
c. late 1800's-1900's


Fractal Geometry
c. late 1800's-1900's

Fractals are geometric figures that model many natural structures like ferns or clouds. The invention of computers has greatly aided the study of fractals since many calculations are required. Mandelbrot is one of the researchers of fractal geometry.

Research a mathematician who has made a contribution to geometry. Write a short biography of the mathematician and summarize his/her contributions to geometry.

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Copyright 1997-2008 Cynthia Lanius