Math Is Fun Forum

Otsdarva

Member

Registered: 2010-12-21

Posts: 10

Self Teaching Geometry?

Hey.  I've always wanted to learn geometry by myself, but don't really know where to start.  Somebody mind helping me out a bit?  Books, websites, anything.

Thanks

Last edited by Otsdarva (2010-12-25 18:36:02)

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Hi Otsdarva;

Do you have any questions that you would like to post? You know a geometry problem.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

hi Otsdarva,

Start at http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/index.html

Then post to the help page when you get stuck.

Welcome to the forum!

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

Otsdarva

Member

Registered: 2010-12-21

Posts: 10

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Hi Otsdarva;

Do you have any questions that you would like to post? You know a geometry problem.

I just want to start geometry from the ground up, if you catch my drift. 

Thanks bob bundy

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Hi;

Have a look here to give you some background.

http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/index.html

Welcome to the forum.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Otsdarva

Member

Registered: 2010-12-21

Posts: 10

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Thanks bobbym.  Where do I go from there once I have the basics down?

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Hi Otsdarva;

I cannot answer that for you. Once you start to progress a little post your questions here and I will try to help. Or someone else will. Once you show what you understand it will be easier to recommend something.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Otsdarva

Member

Registered: 2010-12-21

Posts: 10

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.  One of the problems I have is with proofs, though.  Hard as hell for me.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Hi Otsdarva;

They do not get any easier. The better you get at them only makes you work on harder ones, so you will always be stumped. Keep persisting!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

hi Otsdarva

Geometry proofs.

(i) Make a good diagram. 

Take care you don't make it so it is a special case ( eg. make an angle look like 90 when it need not be)

(ii) Say what you are proving and what you are given. 

(iii)  When you take a step in the 'proof', state, in brackets, why it is true. (eg. angle sum of triangle = 180)

(iv)  When you reach the end, shout 'Eureka!' and write QED in big bold letters.

Or (iv)  Post the problem, and how far you have got, to 'Help Me !' because some of us enjoy trying to help.

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

Otsdarva

Member

Registered: 2010-12-21

Posts: 10

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Late reply but after studying what was on your site I bought a Cliffs Geometry QuickReview book.  Indeed my interest has kicked in once again and I'm starting to build a Geometry mindset.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Otsdarva;

Good luck! Hope it inspires you to love math.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Otsdarva

Member

Registered: 2010-12-21

Posts: 10

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Thanks bobbym and just recently I recovered a lot of focus I was missing before.  I'm proud to be able to understand most of secondary school geometry and soon I will move on to the advanced.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Hi Otsdarva;

I recovered a lot of focus I was missing before.

Sounds like you are pumping up some neurons. But there is a danger, the brain only has a finite capacity. If you stuff too much geometry in their you could replace vital information.

That happened to me, I woke one day and could not even remember how many kids Brad and Angelina have. Or which NBA player has been arrested the most times or how to spell Rihanna. I broke out in a cold sweat and after many months of therapy they managed to put that vital information back in there. So write all that stuff down now.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Otsdarva

Member

Registered: 2010-12-21

Posts: 10

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

I'll make sure to write it all down.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Self Teaching Geometry?

Hi Otsdarva;

All kidding aside, that is a fundamental point. Do not trust your memory, even if it is great. Write your thoughts down when doing math. Keep good, readable notes!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.