If you have a line

and a point, it is Non-Euclidean

just obvious that Geometry? How
there is only one can you have
EUCLID Geometry without
line through that
point that is me?
parallel to the line.

If wonder if people
realize that they Most people don’t
have meYour’e
to thank
just a crazy even know that
for having
oldtoman.
write regular geometry
proofs. is Euclidean
Geometry.

Mr. Young’s Geometry Classes,

Spring 2005
 Outline

1. What is Euclidean Geometry?

2. What is Non-Euclidean Geometry?

3. Spherical Geometry

4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application

5. Euclidean vs. Spherical Geometry

6. Other Geometries
 1. What is Euclidean Geometry?
•Euclidean Geometry is the Geometry that is taught
in High School Geometry Classes
•It is based primarily on a book called “The
Elements” written by a Greek Mathematician named
Euclid who lived from about 325-265 B.C.
I wrote that book.

It’s Elementary!

The
Elements
 1. What is Euclidean Geometry?

•Euclidean Geometry deals with points, lines and

planes and how they interact to make more complex
figures.

•Euclid’s Postulates define how the points, lines,

and planes interact with each other.
Remember: A Postulate is statement that is assumed to be true.
 1. What is Euclidean Geometry?
•Euclid’s First Four Postulates are as follows:
1. Through any two points there is exactly one line

2. Through any three points not on the same line

there is exactly one plane

3. A line contains at least two points

4. All right angles are congruent 

 1. What is Euclidean Geometry?
•Euclid’s Fifth Postulate, called the Parallel Postulate
seems obvious, but is the source of much debate.
5. Given a line and a point not on that line, there is
exactly one line through the point that is parallel to
the line Isn’t it obvious?

•You can say that Euclidean Geometry is Geometry

in which the parallel postulate holds.
 2. What is Non-Euclidean Geometry?

•Non-Euclidean Geometry is any Geometry that

uses a different set of postulates than Euclid used.
•Most of the time Non-Euclidean Geometry is
Geometry in which the Parallel Postulate does not
hold to be true.
 2. What is Non-Euclidean Geometry?

•If the parallel postulate is not true that means that

given a line and a point not on the line there is NOT
exactly one line through the point which is parallel to
the line.
•How is this possible?
Remember that points, lines, and planes are undefined
terms. Their meaning comes only from postulates. So if
you change the postulates you can change the meaning
of points, lines, and planes, and how they interact with
each other.
•This is most easily seen by example…
 3. Spherical Geometry
•The main difference between Spherical Geometry
and Euclidean Geometry is that instead of describing
a plane as a flat surface a plane is a sphere.
That’s crazy!

=
•A line is a great circle on the sphere. A great circle is
any circle on a sphere that has the same center as the
sphere.

•Points are exactly the same, just on a sphere.

 3. Spherical Geometry

•Are Euclid’s Postulates true in Spherical Geometry?

1. Through any two points there is

exactly one line TRUE
Of course
They’re true!

2. Through any three points not on the

same line there is exactly one plane
TRUE
 3. Spherical Geometry

•Are Euclid’s Postulates true in Spherical Geometry?

3. A line contains at least two points

TRUE

4. All right angles are congruent

Duh! I wouldn’t
Write them if
TRUE
they weren’t
 3. Spherical Geometry

•Is the Parallel Postulate true in Spherical Geometry?

5. Given a line and a point not on that line how many
lines can be drawn through the point that are parallel to
the line? NONE, Therefore the Parallel Postulate is
FALSE in Spherical Geometry

What the…!?
That’s just weird
 3. Spherical Geometry

•Is the Parallel Postulate true in Spherical Geometry?

5. Given a line and a point not on that line how many
lines can be drawn through the point that are parallel to
the line? NONE, Therefore the Parallel Postulate is
FALSE in Spherical Geometry
Common Mistake: Except for the circle in the
middle, these horizontal circles do not share a
center with the sphere and are therefore can
not be considered parallel lines, even though
they appear to be parallel.
 3. Spherical Geometry
•Other strange things happen in Spherical Geometry

•Lines always intersect at 2 points, not one.

That’s crazy talk

 3. Spherical Geometry
•Other strange things happen in Spherical Geometry

•In the diagram below B is between A and C, but...

A is between B and C, and...
C is between A and B. Whatever.
B

C
A
 3. Spherical Geometry
•Other strange things happen in Spherical Geometry

•The angles in a triangle don’t have to add to 180º

•In the diagram below ∆ABC has 3 right angles,
which add to 270. B

What are you

Trying to say?
That I’m wrong? A C
 4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application

•If Spherical Geometry is so strange why do we even

bother studying it? Because the Earth is a
No It’s Flat. Sphere.

•Euclidean geometry can not be

used to model the Earth because it
is a sphere.
•Instead of the Cartesian coordinates
used in Euclidean Geometry
Longitude and Latitude are used as to
define position of points on the Earth.
 4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application
•Lines of Longitude are great Circles running between
the North and South Poles.
•The “Center” Longitude
is called the Prime

Prime Meridian, 0°
Meridian
Degrees West Degrees East
•Longitude is
measured in degrees
East or West from the
prime meridian.
 4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application
•Lines of Latitude are parallel horizontal circles, but not
great Circles

•The “Center” Latitude is

Degrees North
called the equator
Equator, 0°
•Latitude is measured
in degrees North or
South from the equator Degrees South
 4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application
•Any Location on the Earth can be found with its, a
latitude and longitude.

Newberry, FL Newberry, FL
Lat. = 29.6° N
Long. = 82.6° W
NEWBERRY
ROCKS!
 4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application
•Longitude 90° N •Latitude

60° N

30° N

180° E, 0 °
150° W

120° W

90° W

60° W

30° W

30° E

90° E
60° E

120° E

150° E
0°

30° S

60° S

90° S
 4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application
•This picture shows the angles that define the degrees
for longitude and latitude OOOOH.
Angles.
 4. Spherical Geometry: A Real World Application
•Astronomers use a similar concept to define the
position of stars and other objects in the sky.

What’s your
Sign baby?
 4. Euclidean vs. Spherical Geometry

Which Geometry is right? Were you just

I am watching that
obviously right whole globe
Oh it’s on
thing?I am
now. You
right. Duh!
better watch
out old man.
 4. Euclidean vs. Spherical Geometry
•Spherical Geometry must be used in some cases:
•Finding long distances for flights, driving or sailing.
•Predicting paths of weather
•Map making
Did you hear that? See! You
Most people live can’t live
their lives without without me.
you. Everyone Take that old
needs me. man.

•But Euclidean Geometry works well in most cases

•Finding most distances or lengths
•Most everyday activities that require geometry like
construction, drawing, etc.
 4. Euclidean vs. Spherical Geometry

Which Geometry is right?

•Neither Geometry is the “right” Geometry, but since
Euclidean Geometry works in most cases and is
simplest, it is taught in schools.
I guess we have Good teachers
to agree to get teach spherical
along. But at least geometry
I’m taught in anyway.
schools.
 5. Other Geometries

•Spherical Geometry is just one Example of Non-

Euclidean Geometry
•Any Geometry that starts with a different set of
postulates is Non-Euclidean.

•Some other Geometries have practical applications and

some are just theoretical
 5. Other Geometries
•Hyperbolic Geometry is used to model space since
Einstein’s theories imply that space is curved.
•Here is a model of a three dimensional hyperbolic
curve, that Hyperbolic Geometry would be based on.

Now I know
You’re crazy.
 Summary

•Euclidean Geometry is not the only type of Geometry.

But it is the most
common

•Spherical Geometry is one example of Non-Euclidean

Geometry that has definite practical applications.
I can accurately
model the real
world.

•Euclidean Geometry sufficiently describes the world

that most of us deal with day to day, so it is the primary
Geometry studied in School.
 The End

I’m sorry I I’m sorry I called

resorted to you an old man.
violence. It’s You actually
just that I am look pretty good
so passionate for being almost
about parallel 3,000. Let’s be
lines. friends.

Want to learn more about Non-Euclidean geometry? Do

a web search. Or better yet major in Math and take a
course on it in college.