The origins of Geometry

The word Geometry comes from two Greek words: ge - the earth, and metron - a measure, and therefore means earth measurement. "That's odd!" you might say. Here's why.

Triangles and parallel lines are mentioned in early Babylonian records. The Babylonians divided a circle into 360 parts that we've named degrees.

More attention was given to the subject in ancient Egypt. It was necessary to re-establish land boundaries that were removed when the river Nile overflowed its banks. The land surveys that re-established these boundaries involved measuring geometrical figures and constructing angles.

The development of Geometry as it is studied today owed more to the Greeks. The most famous man in this connection was Euclid who lived about 300 B.C. His book on Geometry was the text book studied in schools including the beginning of the 21st century - for over 2,000 years. It is still the foundation of elementary work on this subject! Contact us!