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An elusive geometric concept
Almost two thousand years of geometry! That is how long it took, with Descartes, to develop the first tools for studying those mathematical objects we all think we know: curves. How far we have come since the tentative explorations of ancient Greek scholars!
A precise definition? Not so simple!
Surely the modern era has finally given us a precise, rigorous and general definition of a curve. Yet it has not! Neither analysis nor topology has so far produced a definition of "curve" on which everyone agrees.
Curves drawn by hand
Euclid's successors invented a whole array of sometimes sophisticated devices for drawing curves.
The Anosov flow takes center stage | Tangente
What is the mathematical meaning of the magnificent image on the cover of Tangente special issue 74, Courbe et surfaces?
Mary Everest Boole, a surprising educator
Mary Everest did much to advance mathematics education. Among her innovations were the thread boards she used to make curves tangible.
Essential mathematics references | Tangente
The Mathcurve website is essential reading for anyone interested in curves. Several major authors are also closely associated with the subject.