Concept of postulate, theorem, hypothesis, thesis and corollary
On this page you can find the definition and concept of some mathematical and geometric terms such as proposition, Axiom, Theorem, Postulate, Lemma, Corollary, Scolium and Problem among others. Find the concept of postulate, theorem, hypothesis, thesis and corollary
Proposition
The concept proposition is a statement of a hypothesis or assumption, and of a thesis or conclusion, which is a consequence of the hypothesis.
Example :
Proposition 3 of Book III of the Elements of Euclid: If in a circle a line CD drawn through the center E divides in two equal parts another line AB not drawn through the center, it cuts it also forming right angles; and if you cut it at right angles, you also divide it into two equal parts AF and FB.
Axiom
The concept “Axiom” is a self-evident proposition and therefore needs no proof.
For examples we have the Euclidean axioms: The whole is equal to the sum of the parts. The whole is greater than each of the parts.
Between two points a single straight line passes.
Theorem
The Theorem as a concept is a proposition that needs proof to be evident. For example: The sum of the angles of a triangle is equal to two right angles.Example: If two parallel lines intersect with a secant line, the following angle relation is fulfilled:
- Alternate / interior angles are the same.
- The alternate / exterior angles are the same.
- The corresponding angles are the same.
- Internal collateral angles are supplemental.
- External collateral angles are supplemental.
Dual theorem
The principle of duality affirms that from any theorem or construction of projective geometry we can obtain another, known as the dual theorem, only the words point and line can be exchanged, also modifying the relationships between the points and the lines. So by this principle,
- A point becomes a line.
- Aligned points become lines that pass through a point.
- Tangent lines become the point of tangency.
- A circumscribed circle becomes an inscribed circle.
- etc.
The dual theorem of Pascal’s theorem is Brianchon’s theorem.
Pascal’s theorem
Any hexagon inscribed in a circle, the intersection points of the opposite sides are in a straight line.
Pascal’s theorem, discovered by Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) at the age of 16, refers to aligned points: If the 6 vertices of a hexagon are located on a conic and the three pairs of opposite sides intersect, then the intersection points are aligned. The line containing the three points of intersection is known as Pascal’s line
Here you can find a more detailed explanation of Pascal’s theorem.
Brianchon’s theorem
Brianchon’s theorem is due to Charles Julien Brianchon (1783-1864) and states that the diagonals of a hexagon circumscribed to a conic intersect at one point.
Here you can find a more detailed explanation of Brianchon’s theorem.
Feuerbach’s theorem
The Euler or 9-point circle is tangent to the inscribed and ex-inscribed circles to the triangle.
Theorem and Gauss
The midpoints of the diagonals of an entire quadrilateral are in a straight line.
Euler’s theorem
In any convex polyhedron, the number of faces plus the number of vertices is equal to the number of edges plus two. (faces + vertices = edges + 2).
Postulate
Postulate is a proposition that is admitted without proof, although without the evidence of the axiom. For example: For a point outside a line, you can only draw a single parallel to the line.
Lemma
Lemma is a preliminary theorem that serves as a basis to prove other propositions.
Corollary
Corollary or consequence is a theorem the truth of which is simply deduced from another already proven.
Scholium
Escolio is a warning or note that is made in order to clarify, extend or restrict previous propositions.
Problem
Problem is a question that is proposed with the purpose and intention of clarifying or solving it using a certain methodology.
Agradecimiento por la colaboración de
Francisco Javier García Capitán, 2000
Copyright Applet © 1996/1997 (Juny, 1997)
D.E.Joyce
Clark University© Drets d´ús cedits 2002/2003
JDL
Primera Edición Castellano-Catalán ®2006
