Assignment 8 (Due Monday, 3/8)

This assignment is a wrap-up on spheres and some other things. You should do problems 1 and 2. Problems 3 and 4 are extra-credit. Problem 2 is also somewhat open-ended, so extra effort will gain extra credit.

8.1 Geodesic Dome Questions

Answer the geodesic dome questions at the end of the Geodesic Dome page.

8.2 More Maps

Do one of these:

• Look up the Mercator projection. Tell what is special (what is preserved) by this map and why it is useful in navigation. Explain the mathematics involved in figuring our the spacing of the latitude lines on the flat map.
• Look up the Mollweide projection. Tell what is special (what is preserved) by this map and why it is useful. Explain the mathematics involved in figuring our the spacing of the latitude lines on the flat map.

8.3 Look up some history of non-Euclidean geometry.

Find some historical accounts of the discovery and development of non-Euclidean geometry. Write up a biography of one or two of the important figures in this history and tell what they contributed, with explanation of the geometry involved.

8.4 Build Models

Build a good-quality model illustrating and clarifying some point of spherical geometry, geodesic domes, 3D geometry.