The Geometry of Non-Euclidean Complex Planes

In summary, the complex plane has connections to both hyperbolic and spherical geometry. However, most spaces studied in mathematics, including hyperbolic and spherical spaces, are locally Euclidean and satisfy the parallel axiom. Even spaces studied in physics and general relativity are locally Euclidean. Curvature is more apparent in global situations and can be studied through differential geometry. Trigonometry and calculus can also be applied to spaces with curvature. As for multiplication of complex numbers, it can be interpreted geometrically in a curved plane.
  • #1
maline
436
69
If the Parallel Axiom is just one of several possible assumptions, why is it that so many mathematical relationships seem to only be expressible in the Euclidean plane? Do planes with positive or negative curvature give analogues to the Agrand plane for complex algebra, or the Cartesian plane for, say, the representation of differentials as slopes and integrals as area?
 
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  • #2
The complex plane actually has a lot of relations to hyperbolic and spherical geometry. The great book Visual Complex Analysis goes a bit into that.

Something you should know is that most spaces studied in mathematics locally are Euclidean. Even the hyperbolic and spherical spaces are locally Euclidean, which means that they locally satisfy the parallel axiom. Even the spaces studied in physics and general relativity are locally Euclidean. Curvature is something that really shows up more in global situations (it shows up locally too but it's very small, so everything is approximately Euclidean).

Doing integral and differential calculus on spaces with curvature is definitely possible and is studied in differential geometry. Trigonometry on such spaces is possible as well.
 
  • #3
micromass said:
The complex plane actually has a lot of relations to hyperbolic and spherical geometry. The great book Visual Complex Analysis goes a bit into that.

Something you should know is that most spaces studied in mathematics locally are Euclidean. Even the hyperbolic and spherical spaces are locally Euclidean, which means that they locally satisfy the parallel axiom. Even the spaces studied in physics and general relativity are locally Euclidean. Curvature is something that really shows up more in global situations (it shows up locally too but it's very small, so everything is approximately Euclidean).

Doing integral and differential calculus on spaces with curvature is definitely possible and is studied in differential geometry. Trigonometry on such spaces is possible as well.

Thanks so much! Can you you give me a few more details? For instance, can multiplication of complex numbers be interpreted geometrically in a curved plain?
 

Related to The Geometry of Non-Euclidean Complex Planes

1. What is a Non-Euclidean complex plane?

A Non-Euclidean complex plane is a mathematical concept that extends the traditional Euclidean plane to include complex numbers, which are numbers that have both a real and imaginary component. It is a two-dimensional space where each point is represented by a complex number.

2. How is a Non-Euclidean complex plane different from a Euclidean plane?

The main difference between a Non-Euclidean complex plane and a Euclidean plane is that in the Non-Euclidean plane, the distance between two points is calculated using the modulus of the difference between the complex numbers representing those points. In the Euclidean plane, the distance is calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.

3. What are some real-world applications of the Non-Euclidean complex plane?

The Non-Euclidean complex plane has various applications in physics, engineering, and computer science. It is used in the study of electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and fluid dynamics. It also has applications in computer graphics, cryptography, and signal processing.

4. What are some key properties of the Non-Euclidean complex plane?

Some key properties of the Non-Euclidean complex plane include the existence of infinitely many lines passing through a single point, the concept of parallel lines not intersecting, and the ability to represent rotations and translations using complex numbers.

5. How is the Non-Euclidean complex plane relevant to modern mathematics?

The Non-Euclidean complex plane is a fundamental concept in modern mathematics, particularly in the field of geometry. It has paved the way for the development of non-Euclidean geometries, which have applications in various fields such as topology, differential geometry, and algebraic geometry. It also plays a crucial role in understanding the foundations of mathematics and challenging long-held assumptions about space and geometry.

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