Abstract
PROBABLY someone will before this have directed your attention to a statement in NATURE of June 30 regarding Gauss's share in the discovery of non-Euclidean geometry; but in case this may have escaped notice, even after the lapse of three months, I venture to bring it again before your readers. Speaking of Mannoury's book—“Methodologisches und Philosophisches zur Elementarmathematik.”— “G. B. M.” says “there is one remarkable statement made, which deserves mention. Dr. Mannoury says that in December, 1818, F. K. Schweikart sent to Gauss a note asserting the existence of a geometry in which the sum of the angles of a triangle is less than two right angles, and in which the altitude of an isosceles triangle with a finite base has a finite upper limit. This goes far to demolish the claim made for Gauss that he was the first to assert the possibility of a consistent system of geometry distinct from Euclid”.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CARSLAW, H. Gauss and Non-Euclidean Geometry . Nature 84, 362 (1910). https://doi.org/10.1038/084362a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/084362a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.