From: utzoo!decvax!yale-com!hickmott
Newsgroups: net.math
Title: Re: Squares - (nf)
Article-I.D.: yale-com.747
Posted: Fri Jan 28 12:11:51 1983
Received: Sat Jan 29 06:07:21 1983
References: uiucdcs.1389


The mathematics system described by measuring distance as (x+y)
instead of (x**2 + y**2)**.5 is known as Lobachevskian geometry;
it is (as far as anyone has tested it and as far as I know)
completely self-consistent.  It takes advantage of the fact, which you
may recall from 'way back in geometry I, that 'point', 'line', 'plane',
and 'distance'  are all undefined terms.  Although I'm only
vaguely familiar with it,  I remember that it comes up with some
interesting things;  e.g. a circle (the locus of all points
equidistant from a given point)  looks like a square standing on
one corner.  I'd be interested in hearing if it has any practical
application.

       "And who deserves the credit, and who deserves the blame?
	Nicolai Ivanovitch Lobachevsky is his name!"

				    Andy Hickmott
			       decvax!yale-comix!hickmott