Geometry
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Geometry is the branch of mathematics that deals with properties of shapes and spatial relationships. It is one of the five most basic branches of pure mathematics, the others being algebra, number theory, analysis, and logic. Primarily, the subject may be divided into six branches:
- Euclidean geometry studies geometry where the parallel postulate is valid. This includes plane geometry.
- Non-Euclidean geometry studies geometry where the parallel postulate is false.
- Differential geometry studies properties of smooth shapes called differentiable manifolds by analyzing their curvature properties.
- Algebraic geometry studies properties of shapes defined by algebraic equations (e.g. a parabola) by making use of the additional structures these objects inherit from their algebraic nature.
- Topology, broadly speaking, studies properties of shapes invariant under continuous functions.
- Geometric measure theory studies objects that possess a notion of fractional dimension, such as fractals.
See also
External Links
- Interactive Geometry 3D Shapes Learn about three-dimensional shapes, how to calculate their surface area and volume as well as their mathematical properties.
- The Geometry of Special Relativity: The Minkowski Space - Time Light Cone