Carmine

Geometry is an ancient Greek word which means to measure the earth. The Greek mathematician Euclid in approximately 300 B.C., introduced his brilliant works on geometry in five volumes he called The Elements." Euclid is considered to be the greatest mathematician who ever lived. His work was the basis of all geometry until the early 20th century and is known as Euclidean geometry. Toward the end of the 19th century another view emerged and Euclidean Geometry is now regarded as one of many abstract mathematical doctrines.

Plane and solid geometry as now studied in high school mathematics, coupled with applied algebra (called analytical geometry} is truly the science of measurement. The use of algebra to manipulate the dimensions of geometric figures is only one aspect of analytical geometry. It also allows for the representation of a point in a coordinate plane in space by a pair (or three in solid geometry), of coordinates, and the representation of lines and curves by equations.

All of the above leads to the fact that geometry is indeed the mathematical science of measurement. Analytic geometry is perhaps the most practical of the mathematical sciences because it allows us to use the results of an algebraic manipulation to a geometric figure and apply the resulting measurements into everyday applications. Without geometry, we would not have all the luxuries of today's world, and certainly not our space and atomic programs. From the tiniest of atoms to the vastness of space, it is truly the science of measurement.

As a retired mechanical engineer, mathematics was a way of daily life, especially analytic geometry. In my many years in product design and tooling I relied heavily on calculated measurements of geometric shapes to input into computer aided design (CAD) systems for product design and for computer aided machining (CAM) equipment to generate the tooling to produce the designed product.

Presently I am working with high school and college students as a mathematics tutor. From the tutoring experience I find that geometry seems to be the most difficult for students to comprehend and retain. When algebra and trigonometry are added to the geometric figures to develop measurements, the plot tends to thicken. My evaluation for the reasons of this lack of understanding and interest has led me to the conclusion that most applicable textbooks are clouded with proofs and constructions, not allowing the real beauty of geometry to shine through as the science of measurement. Hence the concept of my book, Geometry Illustrated.

Geometry Illustrated is a quick and easy way for the student studying geometry today to connect a geometric statement with a highlighted graphical drawing for all of the topics in plane, solid and trigonometric geometry. Only the facts (axioms, theorems, etc.) are presented. Clouds of proofs, construction, quizzes and tests are not in Geometry Illustrated, so the sun can shine through on the real meat of the subject. The hardcover of Geometry Illustrated is designed small enough (5.5 x 8.5) to easily fit in a students backpack, and handy for future mathematics and professional reference. The unique format of Geometry Illustrated makes a geometry topic quick to find and easy to understand, and is quite helpful in completing geometry worksheets and geometry quizzes. Find us at http://geometryillustrated.com