He defined a conic as the intersection of a cone and a plane ( see figure). 262–190 bc), known by his contemporaries as the “Great Geometer,” foreshadowed the development of analytic geometry by more than 1,800 years with his book Conics. Elementary analytic geometryĪpollonius of Perga ( c. For example, computers create animations for display in games and films by manipulating algebraic equations. This correspondence makes it possible to reformulate problems in geometry as equivalent problems in algebra, and vice versa the methods of either subject can then be used to solve problems in the other. The importance of analytic geometry is that it establishes a correspondence between geometric curves and algebraic equations.

SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!Īnalytic geometry, also called coordinate geometry, mathematical subject in which algebraic symbolism and methods are used to represent and solve problems in geometry.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.

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