Euclid's Elements

Euclid's Elements (Greek Στοιχεία) is a mathematical and geometric treatise, consisting of 13 books, written by the Greek mathematician Euclid around 300 BC. It comprises a collection of definitions, postulates (axioms), propositions (theorems) and proofs thereof. Euclid's books are in the fields of Euclidean geometry, as well as the ancient Greek version of number theory. The Elements is one of the oldest extant axiomatic deductive treatments of geometry, and has proved instrumental in the development of logic and modern science.

Related Topics:
Greek - Mathematical - Geometric - Greek - Mathematician - Euclid - 300 BC - Axioms - Theorems - Euclidean geometry - Number theory - Logic - Science

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It is considered the most successful textbook ever written: the Elements was one of the very first books to go to press, and is second only to the Bible in number of editions published (over 1000). For centuries, when

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the quadrivium was included in the curriculum of all university students, knowledge of at least part of Euclid's Elements was required of all students. Not until the 20th century did it cease to be considered something all educated people had read. It is still (though rarely) used as a basic introduction to geometry today.

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