Euclid

Euclid was a mathematician who lived in ancient Greece about 2,300 years ago. He is often called the father of geometry. He wrote a famous book called Elements that taught people about shapes, lines, and angles.

The Book Called Elements

Euclid's book Elements is one of the most important math books ever written. It has 13 sections that explain geometry step by step. It starts with simple ideas and builds up to harder ones.

The book was used as a textbook for over 2,000 years. That is longer than any other textbook in history. Even Abraham Lincoln studied it to sharpen his thinking skills.

Euclid's Big Ideas

Euclid started with basic facts called axioms. An axiom is something so simple that everyone agrees it is true. For example, a straight line can be drawn between any two points.

From these simple starting points, he proved hundreds of facts about shapes and numbers. His method of starting simple and building up is still how math is taught today.

Fun Facts

• Nobody knows exactly when Euclid was born or when he died.
• Elements was one of the first books ever printed on a printing press.
• Euclid worked in the great city of Alexandria in Egypt.

Did You Know?

When a king asked Euclid for a shortcut to learn geometry, Euclid said there is no royal road to geometry, meaning everyone has to do the work!