Euclid’s puzzling parallel postulate - Jeff Dekofsky
- 171,122 Views
- 6,533 Questions Answered
- TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
Euclid, known as
the "Father of Geometry," developed several of modern geometry's most enduring theorems--but what can we make of his mysterious
fifth postulate, the parallel postulate? Jeff Dekofsky shows us how
mathematical minds have put the postulate to the test and led to
larger questions of how we understand mathematical principles.
Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
There are many topics in math and science
related to Non-Euclidean Geometry.
Wikipedia is actually a very good source for looking more deeply into
this area.
The Artist M.C. Escher used Hyperbolic Geometry in many of his tessellations. He was also inspired by the Moorish artwork and tile work that resides at the Alhambra in Spain. Here are some links for you to learn more about this amazing artist and his work:
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Gcz9FIB4w
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcc56fRtrKU
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC_Escher
Albert Einstein utilized the concepts of Non-Euclidean Geometry to establish his General Theory of Relativity. This theory describes how the fabric of Space-Time is bent by matter. You can check out these links to learn more about this theory and it's implications to modern science:
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoaOHvy5AcA
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAqSCuHA0j8
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfv2AiVfnWA
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity
The Artist M.C. Escher used Hyperbolic Geometry in many of his tessellations. He was also inspired by the Moorish artwork and tile work that resides at the Alhambra in Spain. Here are some links for you to learn more about this amazing artist and his work:
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Gcz9FIB4w
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcc56fRtrKU
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC_Escher
Albert Einstein utilized the concepts of Non-Euclidean Geometry to establish his General Theory of Relativity. This theory describes how the fabric of Space-Time is bent by matter. You can check out these links to learn more about this theory and it's implications to modern science:
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoaOHvy5AcA
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAqSCuHA0j8
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfv2AiVfnWA
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity

TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
More from Math In Real Life
36,287,017 Views
Mathematics
The paradox at the heart of mathematics: Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem
Lesson duration 05:20
3,365,876 Views
4,824,721 Views
2,355,169 Views