Vocabulary notes

bisect v – felez, kettévág

compile v – összeállít, szerkeszt

solids – geometriai testek

concern v – vonatkozik, tartozik

designing architecture – épitőművészeti tervezés

exact – pontos

indispensable tool – alapvető/ nélkülözhetetlen ezsköz

map-making – térképkészítés

solid figure – geometriai alakzat

circuitry – áramkör

computer circuitry – számítógépes áramkör kapcsolási sémák készítése

constantly – állandóan

geometrical truths – mértani igazság

two-dimensional – kétdimenziós

explore v – felderít, megvizsgál

mankind – emberiség

a set of rules – szabályok halmaza

surveying (geodesy) – felmérés, térképezés

Exercises

I. Answer the following questions on the text.

1. Does geometry play an important role in our life?

2. For what purposes does mankind use geometry?

3. What can we do with the help of geometric techniques?

4. What role did Euclid play in the formation of geometry as a science?

5. Can we find Euclid’s diagrams, methods of proof, etc. in modern textbooks on geometry?

II. According to the text are the following statements true or false? If you think they are false, say why. Begin your statements with:

“I’m afraid you are wrong”, “As far as I know”, “I don’t think so?”

1. Without geometry the world and our lives in it would be totally different from what they are.

2. Yet because geometry is a branch of medicine it is constantly used by the surgeon, the therapeutist, the pediatrician, etc.

3. Geometry allows us to explore the properties of space in terms of plain and solid figures.

4. We can’t use geometric techniques to construct different geometrical figures because they are out-of-date.

5. Map-making, surveying, designing architecture, computer circuitry all depend on astronomy and on position of stars in particular.

6. The principles of geometry were laid down by the Greek mathematician Euclid (1675-1720).

7. Under his guidance geometry became an organized body of knowledge concerning the relations, properties and measurements of lines, angles, surfaces and solids.

8. Even today, most textbooks on geometry follow the plan of Plato’s writings.

III. Find the following words and word combinations in the text. Guess their meanings. Make up your own sentences with them.

totally different, to allow, the properties of space, plain figures, solid figures, to bisect an angle, to calculate the area, to depend on smth, precise, to lay down, under the guidance, the relations of angles, to follow the plan, geometrical truths

IV. Write questions to which the words in bold type in the following sentences are the answers:

1. Yes, geometry allows us to explore the properties of space in terms of plain and solid figures.

2. We can use geometric techniques to draw a line of an exact length, bisect a line, bisect an angle, etc.

3. The principles of geometry were laid down by the Greek mathematician Euclid.

4. No, it was Euclid who compiled out of the disorganized geometry of his day a set of rules.

5. Today, most textbooks on geometry follow the plan of Euclid’s writings.