Geometry formulas play an integral role in the learning of Geometry, the science of spatial relationships. It may frighten you at start, but once you master them you will feel fascinated applying them in math problems. The formulas are not only used in maths but also in other major subjects such as physics, engineering, navigation etc. That is the reason tutors always stress the importance of learning the basic formulas of Geometry.

History Of Geometry

The term Geometry has been coined from the two Greek words Earth (Geo) and measure (metria). The science that is extensively studied by students and widely applied in many areas nowadays had been invented and used for the first time by the Greeks. It is evident from the ruins they have left behind that they had a very good understanding of the science related to measuring shapes, angles, areas and distances.

Based on the geometric principles employed by different groups of ancient people, the science is broadly classified into early geometry, Egyptian geometry, Babylonian geometry, Greek geometry, Hellenistic geometry, Indian geometry and Chinese geometry.

Brain And Geometry

According to a May 23, 1988 report entitled "Plane Facts on Geometry," in the Los Angeles Times, "The brain apparently uses simple geometric calculations to instantly figure out depth and distances, but researchers say they do not know if the ability is learned or inherited."

In the post, Times staff and wire reports have been quoted as having said, "Scientists at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco, who are studying how the nervous system enables people to see in three dimensions, have found that the brain uses either innate or learned geometric principles."

Geometry In Real Life

Geometry formulas that help in making variety of engineering or navigation based calculations are sometimes very helpful in real life situations also. For instance, when you plan to paint your living room, you need to know the area of the wall that has to be painted so that you can purchase the paint accordingly.

Here is another instance. Farmers that want to buy fertilizers for their farm land need to know the area of the land that needs fertilizers. Therefore, people that belong to all sectors need to have a sound knowledge of basic geometry formulas and how to apply them practically. Here is a list of basic formulas that one needs to know for sure:

1.Perimeter of triangle, rectangle, square and circle

2.Area of triangle, rectangle, square, circle, parallelogram and trapezoid

3.Volume of cube, sphere, cylinder, cone and pyramid

4.Surface area of cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, pyramid and trapezoid.

Some of the theorems of geometry that students may find useful are Euclid's First Theorem, Line Intersection Theorem, Betweenness Theorem, the highly reputed Pythagorean Theorem and Right Angle Congruence theorem.

The knowledge of Geometry is believed to be very important in life. When students get used to applying geometry formulas in their mathematical/science/engineering curriculum at various evaluation levels, their analytical and logical thinking improves gradually. So, learning and applying the formulas will help you excel mentally as well as mathematically.