The total for solid geometry is 79 propositions, or 178 for both plane
and solid geometry. This is perhaps the most successful attempt that
has been made at reaching a minimum number of propositions. It might
well be further reduced, since it includes the proposition about two
adjacent angles formed by one line meeting another, and the one about
the circle as the limit of the inscribed and circumscribed regular
polygons. The first of these leads a beginner to doubt the value of
geometry, and the second is beyond the powers of the majority of
students. As compared with the syllabus reported by a Wisconsin
committee in 1904, for example, here are 99 propositions against 132. On
the other hand, a committee appointed by the Central Association of
Science and Mathematics Teachers reported in 1909 a syllabus with what
seems at first sight to be a list of only 59 propositions in plane
geometry. This number is fictitious, however, for the reason that
numerous converses are indicated with the propositions, and are not
included in the count, and directions are given to include "related
theorems" and "problems dealing with the length and area of a circle,"
so that in some cases one proposition is evidently intended to cover
several others. This syllabus is therefore lacking in definiteness, so
that the Harvard list stands out as perhaps the best of its type.
The second noteworthy recent attempt in America is that made by a
committee of the Association of Mathematical Teachers in New England.
This committee was organized in 1904. It held sixteen meetings and
carried on a great deal of correspondence. As a result, it prepared a
syllabus arranged by topics, the propositions of solid geometry being
grouped immediately after the corresponding ones of plane geometry. For
example, the nine propositions on congruence in a plane are followed by
nine on congruence in space. As a result, the following summarizes the
work in plane geometry:
Congruence in a plane 9
Equivalence 3
Parallels and perpendiculars 9
Symmetry 20
Angles 15
Tangents 4
Similar figures 18
Inequalities 8
Lengths and areas 17
Loci 2
Concurrent lines 5
----
Total for plane geometry 110
Not so conventional in arrangement as the Harvard syllabus, and with a
few propositions that are evidently not basal to the same extent as the
rest, the list is nevertheless a very satisfactory one, and the
parallelism shown between plane and solid geometry is suggestive to both
student and teacher.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account