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Single Idea 14157

[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 3. Axioms for Geometry ]

Full Idea

In descriptive geometry the first 26 propositions of Euclid hold. In projective geometry the 1st, 7th, 16th and 17th require modification (as a straight line is not a closed series). Those after 26 depend on the postulate of parallels, so aren't assumed.

Gist of Idea

Modern geometries only accept various parts of the Euclid propositions

Source

comment on Euclid (Elements of Geometry [c.290 BCE]) by Bertrand Russell - The Principles of Mathematics §388

Book Ref

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.404

Related Idea

Idea 14155 Two points have a line joining them (descriptive), a distance (metrical), and a whole line (projective) [Russell, by PG]


The 12 ideas from Euclid

Proof reveals the interdependence of truths, as well as showing their certainty [Euclid, by Frege]
If you pick an arbitrary triangle, things proved of it are true of all triangles [Euclid, by Lemmon]
Euclid's geometry is synthetic, but Descartes produced an analytic version of it [Euclid, by Resnik]
An assumption that there is a largest prime leads to a contradiction [Euclid, by Brown,JR]
Postulate 2 says a line can be extended continuously [Euclid, by Shapiro]
Euclid relied on obvious properties in diagrams, as well as on his axioms [Potter on Euclid]
Euclid's parallel postulate defines unique non-intersecting parallel lines [Euclid, by Friend]
Euclid needs a principle of continuity, saying some lines must intersect [Shapiro on Euclid]
Euclid says we can 'join' two points, but Hilbert says the straight line 'exists' [Euclid, by Bernays]
Modern geometries only accept various parts of the Euclid propositions [Russell on Euclid]
A unit is that according to which each existing thing is said to be one [Euclid]
Euclid's common notions or axioms are what we must have if we are to learn anything at all [Euclid, by Roochnik]