Thursday, September 13, 2007

A Pointed Argument

"The term geometry is derived from the two Greek words geo and metric. It means "to measure the Earth." The great irony is that the most basic building block in geometry, the point, has no measurement at all. You must accept that a point exists in order to have lines and planes because lines and planes are made up of an infinite number of points. If you do not accept the assumption that a point can exist without size or dimension, then the rest of this lesson (and book) cannot exist either."

-Geometry Success in 20 Minutes a Day

Dramatic pause...

Does this mean if I don't believe in the point, my life is pointless? I never realized the theological implications of my low marks in geometry. Was I a matheist in my youth? And if I can't help my daughter write a proof, is there any point? And if there is no point, was Georges Seurat an artist?

OK, I'm done.

5 comments:

Inner Elder said...

You do get the "point". Geometry, like most of the sciences, is based on faith. However, you understand and teach Logic, so you should have no trouble teaching "proofs".
PS Seurat's points have dimension, no matter how infinitesimal, and can be measured even if you need a tiny weeny ruler. Love, Your Math Major Mom

jugglingpaynes said...

Yes, mom, I see your point. (ba-dum ching) This is why I majored in art.
As for teaching proofs, the proof is in the pudding, and how can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?
(Heh. We don't need no education. Just need an editing feature on the comments page.)

TobyBo said...

OK, now, I know you are young, but have you seen the old cartoon thingy The Point? I will be walking around humming "Me and My Arrow" and "Think About Your Troubles" all morning.

Vicki said...

hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha...Lol....really....and yer mom!!! hehehehehehehe..I LIKE HER!!! Rofl.

Geez...I'm gonna have to come back to this argument when my spouse is home....Ahhahahahha... boy, will this set him off on one of his deep rambles that the children learn to avoid by the age of THREE!

Bless your heart!
Lol, and thanks for the chuckle.
(((hugs)))
Vicki

P.S. I love the comics!!

jugglingpaynes said...

Oh please, Vicki, let your spouse comment. I love rambles. The two of you can duke it out on my comment page. :o)

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