MTH417 Foundations of Geometry
Lead Faculty: Dr. Igor Ya Subbotin
Course Description
A discussion of fundamental ideas and processes common to Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometries: projective, affine and metric geometry. Examines the interplay between inductive and deductive reasoning and formal and informal proof. Addresses uses in science (transformations, scaling), art (Escher-type tessellations, projections), architecture (three-dimensional figures) and computer science (fractals, computer-aided design).
Learning Outcomes
- Compare and contrast projective geometry as generalizations of Euclidean geometry.
- Compare and contrast projective geometry as developed from a set of axioms or from groups of transformations.
- Discuss practical applications of projective geometry (including matrices).
- Discuss the concepts of duality, harmonic sets, and involutions.
- Discuss Brouwer's fixed point theorem and its practical applications.
- Discuss the map-coloring problem and the controversy of its computer proof.
- Explain Euler's formula and construct a Mobius strip.
- Describe the various attempts to prove the Fifth Postulate and the social climate of the times and countries.
- Compare and contrast Euclidean, hyperbolic geometry and elliptic geometry.
- Discuss the concept of parallax and describe how modern scientists use non-Euclidean geometry to attempt to describe the physical nature of the universe.
