Non-Euclidean Geometries
(Beyond Calculus)
Last changed on January 30, 2008
An explanation of Euclid's five postulates -- and an especially in-depth explanation of Euclid's 5th postulate (the parallel postulate). An explanation of how Elliptic and Hyperbolic geometries work, and a list of non-Euclidean geometries with a brief overview of some of them.
- Lesson Slides - Slides that are written on from the lesson.
If you have ever heard that there was such a thing as Geometry that was different from everything you have learned before, and you wanted to know more about it, this is the lesson for you. A great explanation of what it means to have a Non-Euclidean geometry, and what those types of geometries look like. The lesson even starts from an explanation of where these geometries started and includes a list of more geometries for you to study yourself. A truly mind-blowing experience if you are new to this idea.
In the video, latitude lines and longitude ines on a globe are referred to as not parallel because they intersect at the poles. This is true for longitude lines only. Latitude lines are not straight and are actually "lesser circles" that are equidistance from each other therefore they do not intersect. So it is true that none of the lines are parallel, but for two different reasons.
