The story may be apocryphal, but the implication is that knowledge is not obtained by birthright.
When Ptolemy I asked if there was a shorter path to learning geometry than Euclid's ElementsEuclid replied, "There is no royal road to geometry."
Euclid, Pythagoras and a nun walk into a bar... No, I can't tell that one. How about Proclus telling a story that, when Ptolemy I asked if there was a shorter path to learning geometry than Euclid's Elements, "Euclid replied, 'There is no royal road to geometry.'"
Euclid died in Alexandria, Egypt. Legend has it that he was working on geometry in a temple when a student interrupted him with a math problem, causing Euclid to exclaim, "There is no royal road to geometry!" before keeling over and passing away. Just kidding, he probably just died peacefully like the math legend he was.
That there is a 10% slope in the road ahead, meaning it is very steep.
there is a brake down ahead
Euclid to Ptolomey.
When Ptolemy I asked if there was a shorter path to learning geometry than Euclid's ElementsEuclid replied, "There is no royal road to geometry."
Euclid, Pythagoras and a nun walk into a bar... No, I can't tell that one. How about Proclus telling a story that, when Ptolemy I asked if there was a shorter path to learning geometry than Euclid's Elements, "Euclid replied, 'There is no royal road to geometry.'"
The philosopher Euclid is traditionally attributed with saying, "There is no royal road to geometry," to King Ptolemy I of Egypt. This statement emphasizes that geometry requires diligent study and cannot be mastered through shortcuts or privileged treatment.
The phrase "There is no royal road to geometry" is attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid. He reportedly said this to King Ptolemy II of Egypt when the king sought an easier way to learn geometry. Euclid's response emphasizes that the study of mathematics requires effort and dedication, regardless of one's status or privilege.
It was Euclid, a mathematician in ancient Greece, who mentioned to King Ptolemy I that "There is no royal road to geometry." This quote highlights the idea that even kings and rulers must put in the effort and study to learn mathematics.
Euclid lived during the reign of Ptolemy I and wrote an work made comprised of 13 volumes called Elements. As ruler during his reign (323-283 BC), Ptolemy personally sponsored Euclid, but found his work to hard to comprehend. Once, when Ptolemy asked of Euclid if there was no shorter road to geometry than the Elements, he replied, "Sire, there is no royal road to geometry."It is believed though not proven that Euclid may have studied at Plato's Academy in Greece.
Euclid died in Alexandria, Egypt. Legend has it that he was working on geometry in a temple when a student interrupted him with a math problem, causing Euclid to exclaim, "There is no royal road to geometry!" before keeling over and passing away. Just kidding, he probably just died peacefully like the math legend he was.
Euclid, often referred to as the "Father of Geometry," is primarily known for his work in mathematics, particularly his influential text "Elements." Unusual accounts about his life are scarce, but one anecdote suggests that when he was asked by King Ptolemy I if there was a shorter path to learning geometry, he famously replied, "There is no royal road to geometry," emphasizing that mastery requires hard work. Additionally, some legends imply that Euclid was quite reclusive, preferring to focus on his studies rather than engage in public life.
No one really knows what Euclid of Alexandria is like. Most of the documentation about Euclid himself was written after his death by Proclus and Pappus of Alexandria. Very little is known about him, no one even knows the physical appearance of Euclid. According to some of his quotes, Euclid could have been a kind, patient man with a bit of sarcasm. King Ptolemy once asked Euclid if there was an easier way to study math than Elements, to which he then replied, "Sire, there is no royal road to geometry," and sent one of the most powerful kings off to study. On another occasion, a student of his questioned the value of learning geometry, asking, "What do I get by learning these things?" Euclid responded by summoning a slave and replying, "Give him three pence, since he must make a gain of what he learns."
I do not know any quotes and nothing that he wrote survives, but he is supposed to have prompted the quote from Euclid that there is no royal road to geometry. Apparently Alexander was complaining about the difficulty of learning math. He is also supposed to have wept when he learned that he had conquered all the know world and had no more lands to conquer.
royal road