Introduction to Classical Geometries - Softcover

Ramírez Galarza, Ana Irene; Seade, José

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3764375175 ISBN 13: 9783764375171

Publisher: Birkhäuser, 2007

Synopsis

This book develops the geometric intuition of the reader by examining the symmetries (or rigid motions) of the space in question. This approach introduces in turn all the classical geometries: Euclidean, affine, elliptic, projective and hyperbolic. The main focus is on the mathematically rich two-dimensional case, although some aspects of 3- or $n$-dimensional geometries are included. Basic notions of algebra and analysis are used to convey better understanding of various concepts and results. Concepts of geometry are presented in a very simple way, so that they become easily accessible: the only pre-requisites are calculus, linear algebra and basic analytic geometry.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This book follows Felix Klein’s proposal of studying geometry by looking at the symmetries (or rigid motions) of the space in question. In this way the classical geometries are studied: Euclidean, affine, elliptic, projective and hyperbolic. For simplicity the focus is on the two-dimensional case, which is already rich enough, though some aspects of the 3- or n-dimensional geometries are included. Once plane geometry is well understood, it is much easier to go into higher dimensions.

The fundamental ideas of the classical geometries are presented in a clear and elementary way, making them accessible to a wide audience, and relating them to more advanced topics in modern geometry, such as manifolds, Lie groups, the Gaussian curvature, group actions, and foliations.

The book appeals to, and develops, the geometric intuition of the reader. The only prerequisites are calculus, linear algebra and basic analytic geometry. After studying the material, the reader will have a good understanding of basic geometry as well as a clear picture of the relations of this beautiful subject to other branches of mathematics. This is supported by more than 100 carefully chosen illustrations and a large number of exercises. While mainly addressed to students at advanced undergraduate level, the text can be of interest to anyone wanting to learn classical geometry.

Edition details

• Publisher: Birkhäuser
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3764375175
• ISBN 13: 9783764375171
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 220