Modern Geometry with Applications (Universitext) - Softcover

Jennings, George A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 038794222X ISBN 13: 9780387942223

Publisher: Springer, 1994

Synopsis

This book is an introduction to the theory and applications of "modern geometry" ~ roughly speaking, geometry that was developed after Euclid. It covers three major areas of non-Euclidean geometry and their applica­ tions: spherical geometry (used in navigation and astronomy), projective geometry (used in art), and spacetime geometry (used in the Special The­ ory of Relativity). In addition it treats some of the more useful topics from Euclidean geometry, focusing on the use of Euclidean motions, and includes a chapter on conics and the orbits of planets. My aim in writing this book was to balance theory with applications. It seems to me that students of geometry, especially prospective mathe­ matics teachers, need to be aware of how geometry is used as well as how it is derived. Every topic in the book is motivated by an application and many additional applications are given in the exercises. This emphasis on applications is responsible for a somewhat nontraditional choice of top­ ics: I left out hyperbolic geometry, a traditional topic with practically no applications that are intelligible to undergraduates, and replaced it with the spacetime geometry of Special Relativity, a thoroughly non-Euclidean geometry with striking implications for our own physical universe. The book contains enough material for a one semester course in geometry at the sophomore-to-senior level, as well as many exercises, mostly of a non­ routine nature (the instructor may want to supplement them with routine exercises of his/her own).

About this title

From the Back Cover

This is an introduction to the theory and applications of modern geometry. It differs from other books in its field in its emphasis on applications and its discussion of Special Relativity as a major example of a non-Euclidean geometry. Besides Special Relativity, it covers two other important areas of non-Euclidean geometry: spherical geometry (used in navigation and astronomy) and projective geometry (used in art). In addition, it reviews many useful topics from Euclidean geometry, emphasizing transformations, and includes a chapter on conics and planetary orbits. Applications are stressed throughout the book. Every topic is motivated by an application and many additional applications are given in the exercises. The book would be an excellent introduction to higher geometry for those students, especially prospective mathematics teachers, who need to know how geometry is used in addition to its formal theory.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 038794222X
• ISBN 13: 9780387942223
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 212