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I wonder, though, is it not a coincidence that they're practical tools to do rather precise multi-step constructions? (E.g. Durer wrote a whole book about type
by abecedarius 5y ago
I wonder, though, is it not a coincidence that they're practical tools to do rather precise multi-step constructions? (E.g. Durer wrote a whole book about type design by those methods.) And with all the geometric algebra in Euclid, did they ever use them for calculations that aren't originally geometrical? Would we know?
- whatshisface 5y agoI believe that ancient geometry was used for governance and engineering. However the compass and straightedge had an element of abstractness or deliberate simplified impracticality even back then: they had rulers and strings, and could have practically used them as well.