Geometry has a big contribution in our society.
It is the beginning of numerous easy and complicated
designs of buildings, infrastructures, houses, churches, and many others. This implies that we apply to
the modern world what Euclidian theories in Geometry have been given. Euclid of Alexandria (lived c.
300 BCE) was known as the “Father of Geometry”. He systematized ancient Greek and Near Eastern
mathematics and geometry. The mathematical system known as Euclidian Geometry attributed to
Euclid, was described in his textbook the “Elements” as a structure formed from one or more sets of
undefined objects, various concepts which may or may not be defined, and a set of axioms relating
these objects and concepts. To have a better understanding regarding the parts of mathematical system
let us discuss them one by one. Undefined terms are terms that do not require a definition but can be
described. These terms are used as a base to define other terms, hence, these are the building blocks of
other mathematical terms, such as definitions, axioms, and theorems. Examples of undefined terms are
point, line and plane. Defined Terms are the terms of mathematical system that can be defined using
undefined terms. Examples of defined terms are angle, line segment, and circle. Term or phrase which
makes use of the undefined terms and previously defined terms and common words. Is it possible to
know the meaning of the word without actually defining it? If it is, how can we do it? We can define the
term by describing some of its characteristics. Example: What is a real number? We know that a real
number is an undefined term but we can define it by describing its characteristics. That is, for any real
number x, we say that x is a number that can be found on the number line and may be rational or
irrational. The definition is necessary to successfully support the statement of a proof. Axioms and
Postulates are the statements assumed to be true and no need for further proof. Consider the
statements: 1. The sun sets in the west. 2. The Philippines is found in Asia. 3. There are 7 days in a week.
7 CO_Q3_Mathematics 8_ Module 1 Do these statements need proof before we accept them to be
true? These are observed facts and are already accepted as true even without proof. These are
examples of axioms. Furthermore, postulates are assumptions specific to Geometry while axioms are
generally statements used throughout mathematics. Postulates or axioms are statements that may be
used to justify the statements in a proof. The axioms often used in Algebra and Geometry are the
Axioms for Real Numbers which are found at the table below. Let 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 denote any real numbers,
and in symbol: ( 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 ∈ 𝑅) Axioms Description Commutative Axiom 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑏 + 𝑎 or 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = 𝑏 ∙ 𝑎
Associative Axiom 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) = (𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐 or 𝑎 ∙ (𝑏 ∙ 𝑐) = (𝑎 ∙ 𝑏) ∙ 𝑐 Distributive Axiom 𝑎 · (𝑏 + 𝑐) = (𝑎 · 𝑏) +
(𝑎 · 𝑐) Reflexive Axiom 𝑎 = 𝑎 Symmetric Axiom If 𝑎 = 𝑏, then 𝑏 = 𝑎 Transitive Axiom If 𝑎 < 𝑏, and 𝑏 < 𝑐,
then 𝑎 < 𝑐 Addition Axiom If 𝑎 = 𝑏, then 𝑎 + 𝑐 = 𝑏 + 𝑐 Multiplication Axiom If 𝑎 = 𝑏, then 𝑎 · 𝑐 = 𝑏 · 𝑐
Existence of Additive Inverse 𝑎 + (− 𝑎) = (− 𝑎) + 𝑎 = 0 Existence of Multiplicative Inverse 𝑎 · 𝑎 -1= 𝑎 -1 · 𝑎
= 1 for 𝑎 ≠ 0 Existence of Additive Identity For any real number 𝑎, 𝑎 + 0 = 0 + 𝑎 = 𝑎 Existence of
Multiplicative Identity For any real number 𝑎, 𝑎 · 1 = 1 · 𝑎 = 𝑎 Trichotomy Axiom 𝑎 < 𝑏 or 𝑎 = 𝑏 or 𝑏 < 𝑎
Theorems are statements accepted after they are proven true deductively. The axiomatic structure of a
mathematical system follows a sequence, starting with a set of undefined terms which are bases to
define terms, then axioms that are clearly stated, and from these a theorem is derived through
reasoning. Theorems are derived from the set of axioms in an axiomatic mathematical system. Below is
the flow on how to arrive to the theorems.
