Geometry: An Interactive Journey to Mastery
1: Geometry-Ancient Ropes and Modern Phones
Explore the origins of one of the oldest branches of mathematics. See how geometry not only deals with practical concerns such as mapping, navigation, architecture, and engineering, but also offers an intellectual journey in its own right-inviting big, deep questions.
2: Beginnings-Jargon and Undefined Terms
Lay the basic building blocks of geometry by examining what we mean by the terms point, line, angle, plane, straight, and flat. Then learn the postulates or axioms for how those building blocks interact. Finally, work through your first proof-the vertical angle theorem.
3: Angles and Pencil-Turning Mysteries
Using nothing more than an ordinary pencil, see how three angles in a triangle can add up to 180 degrees. Then compare how the experience of turning a pencil on a flat triangle differs from walking in a triangular shape on the surface of a sphere. With this exercise, Professor Tanton introduces you to the difference between flat and spherical geometry
4: Understanding Polygons
Shapes with straight lines (called polygons) are all around you, from the pattern on your bathroom floor to the structure of everyday objects. But although we may have an intuitive understanding of what these shapes are, how do we define them mathematically? What are their properties? Find out the answers to these questions and more.
5: The Pythagorean Theorem
We commonly define the Pythagorean theorem using the formula a2 + b2 = c2. But Pythagoras himself would have been confused by that. Explore how this famous theorem can be explained using common geometric shapes (no fancy algebra required), and how it's a critical foundation for the rest of geometry.
7: The Nature of Parallelism
Examine how our usual definition of parallelism is impossible to check. Use the fundamental assumptions from the previous lectures to follow in Euclid's footsteps and create an alternative way of checking if lines are parallel. See how, using this result, it's possible to compute the circumference of the Earth just by using shadows!
9: Similarity and Congruence
Define what it means for polygons to be "similar" or "congruent" by thinking about photocopies. Then use that to prove the third key assumption of geometry-the side-angle-side postulate-which lets you verify when triangles are similar. Thales of Ionia used this principle in 600 B.C.E. to impress the Egyptians by calculating the height of the pyramids.
10: Practical Applications of Similarity
Build on the side-angle-side postulate and derive other ways of testing whether triangles are similar or congruent. Also dive into several practical applications, including a trick botanists use for estimating the heights of trees and a way to measure the width of a river using only a baseball cap.
11: Making Use of Linear Equations
Delve deeper into the connections between algebra and geometry by looking at lines and their equations. Use the three basic assumptions from previous lectures to prove that parallel lines have the same slope and to calculate the shortest distance between a point and a line.
14: Exploring Special Quadrilaterals
Classify all different types of four-sided polygons (called quadrilaterals) and learn the surprising characteristics about the diagonals and interior angles of rectangles, rhombuses, trapezoids, and more. Also see how real-life objects-like ironing boards-exhibit these geometric characteristics.
15: The Classification of Triangles
Continue the work of classification with triangles. Find out what mathematicians mean when they use words like scalene, isosceles, equilateral, acute, right, and obtuse. Then, learn how to use the Pythagorean theorem to determine the type of triangle (even if you don't know the measurements of the angles).
16: Circle-ometry-On Circular Motion
How can you figure out the "height" of the sun in the sky without being able to measure it directly with a ruler? Follow the path of ancient Indian scholars to answer this question using "angle of elevation" and a branch of geometry called trigonometry. You learn the basic trig identities (sine, cosine, and tangent) and how physicists use them to describe circular motion.
17: Trigonometry through Right Triangles
The trig identities you explored in the last lecture go beyond circles. Learn how to define all of them just using triangles (expressed in the famous acronym SOHCAHTOA). Then, uncover how trigonometry is practically applied by architects and engineers to measure the heights of buildings.
18: What Is the Sine of 1?
So far, you've seen how to calculate the sine, cosine, and tangents of basic angles (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°). What about calculating them for other angles-without a calculator? You'll use the Pythagorean theorem to come up with formulas for sums and differences of the trig identities, which then allow you to calculate them for other angles.
19: The Geometry of a Circle
Explore the world of circles! Learn the definition of a circle as well as what mathematicians mean when they say things like radius, chord, diameter, secant, tangent, and arc. See how these interact, and use that knowledge to prove the inscribed angle theorem and Thales' theorem.
23: Three-Dimensional Geometry-Solids
So far, you've figured out all kinds of fun properties with two-dimensional shapes. But what if you go up to three dimensions? In this lecture, you classify common 3-D shapes such as cones and cylinders, and learn some surprising definitions. Finally, you study the properties (like volume) of these shapes.
24: Introduction to Scale
If you double the side-lengths of a shape, what happens to its area? If the shape is three-dimensional, what happens to its volume? In this lecture, you explore the concept of scale. You use this idea to re-derive one of our fundamental assumptions of geometry, the Pythagorean theorem, using the areas of any shape drawn on the edges of the right triangle-not just squares.
26: Exploring Geometric Constructions
Let's say you don't have a marked ruler to measure lengths or a protractor to measure angles. Can you still draw the basic geometric shapes? Explore how the ancient Greeks were able to construct angles and basic geometric shapes using no more than a straight edge for marking lines and a compass for drawing circles.
27: The Reflection Principle
If you're playing squash and hit the ball against the wall, at what angle will it bounce back? If you're playing pool and want to play a trick shot against the side edge, how do you need to hit the ball? Play with these questions and more through an exploration of the reflection principle.
28: Tilings, Platonic Solids, and Theorems
You've seen geometric tiling patterns on your bathroom floor and in the works of great artists. But what would happen if you made repeating patterns in 3-D space? In this lecture, discover the five platonic solids! Also, become an artist and create your own beautiful patterns-even using more than one type of shape.
31: The Mathematics of Fractals
Explore the beautiful and mysterious world of fractals. Learn what they are and how to create them. Examine famous examples such as Sierpinski's Triangle and the Koch Snowflake. Then, uncover how fractals appear in nature-from the structure of sea sponges to the walls of our small intestines.
35: Complex Numbers in Geometry
In lecture 6, you saw how 17th-century mathematician Rene Descartes united geometry and algebra with the invention of the coordinate plane. Now go a step further and explore the power and surprises that come from using the complex number plane. Examine how using complex numbers can help solve several tricky geometry problems.
36: Bending the Axioms-New Geometries
Wrap up the course by looking at several fun and different ways of reimagining geometry. Explore the counterintuitive behaviors of shapes, angles, and lines in spherical geometry, hyperbolic geometry, finite geometry, and even taxi-cab geometry. See how the world of geometry is never a closed-book experience.
Our complex society demands not only mastery of quantitative skills, but also the confidence to ask new questions, to explore, wonder, flail, to rely on ones wits, and to innovate. Let's teach joyous and successful thinking.
ALMA MATER
INSTITUTION
About James Tanton
Dr. James Tanton is the Mathematician in Residence at The Mathematical Association of America (MAA). He earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Princeton University. A former high school teacher at St. Mark's School in Southborough and a lifelong educator, he is the recipient of the Beckenbach Book Prize from the MAA, the George Howell Kidder Faculty Prize from St. Mark's School, and a Raytheon Math Hero Award for excellence in math teaching. Professor Tanton is the author of a number of books on mathematics including Solve This: Math Activities for Students and Clubs, The Encyclopedia of Mathematics, and Mathematics Galore! Professor Tanton founded the St. Mark's Institute of Mathematics, an outreach program promoting joyful and effective mathematics education. He also conducts the professional development program for Math for America in Washington, D.C.
