Geometry Explorer Help
Getting Started with Geometry Explorer:

Design:

Program Overview: 

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Geometry Explorer is designed as a geometry laboratory where one can create geometric objects (like points, circles, polygons, areas, etc), carry out transformations on these objects (dilations, reflections, rotations, and translations), and measure aspects of these objects (like length, area, radius, etc).  As such, it is much like doing geometry on paper (or sand) with a ruler and compass. However, on paper such constructions are static -- points placed on the paper can never be moved again.  In Geometry Explorer, all constructions are dynamic.  One can draw a segment and then grab one of the endpoints and move it around the canvas, with the segment moving accordingly.  Thus, one can create a construction and test out hypotheses about the construction with an infinite number of possible variations of the original construction.

Geometry Explorer is designed as an Internet-aware application.  The Help system is Web-based, designed as a series of inter-linked Web pages. The program itself can be run as an applet under an Internet browser.  Additionally, hyperlinks to Web pages can be inserted directly into the geometry canvas. An instructor can provide students reference links that are accessible from the geometry canvas that they are working on.

Geometry Explorer is designed to facilitate exploration into non-Euclidean geometry.  Constructions can be carried out in Euclidean or Non-Euclidean environments.  Almost all actions that apply in the Euclidean canvas can be carried out in a Non-Euclidean canvas (with a few important exceptions that depend on the parallel postulate).

Geometry Explorer is designed to assist the classroom teacher. There is an extensive library of examples that can be used in a geometry course.  Text areas can be created on the canvas so that additional information can be included with a construction.  If a large amount of textual information must accompany a construction, this can be included in a separate NoteBook with the construction.  A fully functional calculator is included for carrying out detailed calculations with measurements and other numerical values.  Analytic geometry is supported in a variety of ways.  Finally, there is the ability to make "recordings" of sequences of steps (macros) that can then be used in other constructions.