primitive


A primitivePlanetmathPlanetmath is a geometric figure that is left undefined. Properties of primitives are assumed via axioms of the geometryMathworldPlanetmathPlanetmath. From these axioms, one can gain some understanding of primitives, but they are technically not defined.

Primitives are typically the simplest figure considered in the geometry. This occurs because it is easier to create more complicated figures from simpler ones; it seems backwards to leave complicated figures undefined and attempt to define simpler figures from these.

In Euclidean geometry, the primitives are typically taken to be point, line, and plane. On PlanetMath, these all have “definitions”. Upon investigation, however, Euclid’s definition for point, “that which has no part,” is a description rather than a definition, and the other definitions require knowledge of vector spaces, topology, or point-free geometry. Similarly, the PlanetMath definitions of line and plane require knowledge of other of mathematics.

The “figure” in the geometric sense is currently a primitive according to PlanetMath. It is used in many different entries, including this one (in the first for example), with the assumptionPlanetmathPlanetmath that the reader knows what is meant by the .

Title primitive
Canonical name Primitive
Date of creation 2013-03-22 17:11:49
Last modified on 2013-03-22 17:11:49
Owner Wkbj79 (1863)
Last modified by Wkbj79 (1863)
Numerical id 8
Author Wkbj79 (1863)
Entry type Definition
Classification msc 51-00