Euclid's Elements and the Beginnings of Proof


Introduction

The purpose of this website is to look comprehensively at the origins, structures, and ways in which Euclid's Elements influenced the mathematics we teach today. It is referenced in many branches of mathematics outside of geometry. This page is to help mathematics students and teachers recognize why this text is much more than an old geometry textbook. By bridging the gap between historical and mathematical understanding readers should be able to have a more well-rounded understanding its organization in axiomatic systems. This website will show why Elements was a "watershed moment" in human advancement and why we continue to teach its contents. The table below provides different sections that divide the information about the content.

Section Description
History and Background This section of the wepage introduces Euclid, who influenced him, Elements, and questions that arise from Elements.
Significance and Application This section addresses the influnce of Elements and applications into other fields of study.
Explanation of Mathematics This section looks at how Elements is organized, explains inductive and deductive principles, and provides a few examples of proofs
References This section provides the references cited in this webpage.








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