User talk:Cretaceous9

Just learning how this works.--Cretaceous9 (talk) 15:05, 30 December 2008 (UTC)

Wikibook Geometry

Why invest the energy to learn geometry?

Basic geometry is a very powerful practical problem solver. It was used by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks for solving most problems and was the proto-type for rational thinking.*1 Where we use algebra today they used geometry then. It is still very current in all the building and fabrication trades. Before building something big and expensive it better to work out the bugs in a small scale model. Before expending a lot of energy in making a model it is best to do a drawing. With geometry the drawings become very accurate and can be used to predict measurements and costs. Geometry can be easy to master; the proofs are more fun than sudoko; and its applications are as practical as a hammer and saw. It will give you a sophisticated visual intuition and a strong sense of rational proof and a jumping-off place for some of the most abstract areas of pure mathematics. It’s hard to imagine a mathematical education without geometry.


 * 1 A HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY by Bertrand Russell, page 36, 39, 208 (chapter XXIV)--Cretaceous9 (talk) 20:45, 30 December 2008 (UTC)

What should you know before attempting to teach yourself geometry from this text?

You should do fine if you understand simple English; are comfortable with diagrams; can do arithmetic up to addition of fractions with out a calculator (1/4 + 2/5 = 13/20); and can solve simple algebra (2x -1= 0 then x= 1/2). Often algebra and geometry are taught together and the students would know enough algebra by the time they needed it. If the writers are careful in this text, you should not need algebra till you get to the level of trigonometry. It wouldn't hurt to read the first few chapters in both arithmetic and beginning algebra while doing geometry. Mathematics builds on its self. This means that only if you work all the examples and learn the definitions will later pages make sense to you. Keep a notebook and make lots of drawings. Talking to others about what you learn is invaluable. You do your part and a good text book will get you there.--Cretaceous9 (talk) 20:45, 30 December 2008 (UTC)