Subject: [HM] Gauss experiment on three mountain peaks
From: Daina Taimina (dt34@cornell.edu)
Date: Thu Feb 17 2000 - 14:55:23 EST
Dear HM,
it is widely quoted experiment that Gauss ordered to lit fires on three
mountain peaks near Goettingen and then measured angles for introduction in
non-Euclidean geometry. I remember reading somewhere that originally Gauss
was doing this experiment for different purpose. But I have lost a
reference unfortunately and can not find where I read this.
Can somebody help me to clear the question about Gauss's experiment on
three mountain peaks?
Thank you!
Daina Taimina
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