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Geometry
| Credits | 6 credit points |
| Instructors | Spandaw, J.G. (Technische Universiteit Delft) |
| j.g.spandaw@tudelft.nl | |
| Aim | The aim of this course is to familiarize future teachers with the following approaches to geometry: (1) constructions and axioms; (2) coordinates and vectors; (3) perspective and projective planes; and (4) transformations and non-euclidean planes. This knowledge will help the student to see the connections between school geometry and more modern branches of mathematics. |
| Description | We will discuss these four themes consecutively: (1) After a brief review of some classical constructions we will examine the flaws of Euclid’s axiom system. Next, we will discuss Hilbert’s solution to this problem. We will see how the perception of the relation between geometry and numbers has changed since Euclid’s times. (2) We will briefly review coordinates, distances, vector spaces, inner products and matrices. (3) We will motivate projective planes by considering perspective in drawing. Projective planes are then introduced axiomatically. Next we treat some basic topics such as homogeneous coordinates, projections, broken linear transformations, double ratio and some standard theorems (Pappus and Desargues). (4) After studying transformations (isometries) of the Euclidean plane and the sphere we will introduce the peculiar geometry of the hyperbolic plane. If time allows and depending on the interests of the participants these themes can be extended or other, related topics can be added, such as finite projective planes and codes or special relativity and the Minkowski plane. |
| Organization | 3 hours mixture of lecture and exercise class |
| Examination | Oral exams on June 10, 24, July 1. Resit: July 8. |
| Literature | John Stillwell, The four pillars of geometry, Springer (2005), ISBN 0-387-25530-3 |
| Prerequisites | basic linear algebra; familiarity with elementary group theory is not assumed, but can be helpful. |
| Remarks | This course is designed for (future) teachers. |