English

First-Order Axiom Systems $\mathscr{E}_{d}$ and $\mathscr{E}_{da}$ Extending Tarski's $\mathscr{E}_{2}$ with Distance and Angle Function Symbols for Quantitative Euclidean Geometry

Logic 2025-11-12 v1 Logic in Computer Science Metric Geometry

Abstract

Tarski's first-order axiom system E2\mathscr{E}_{2} for Euclidean geometry is notable for its completeness and decidability. However, the Pythagorean theorem -- either in its modern algebraic form a2+b2=c2a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2} or in Euclid's Elements -- cannot be directly expressed in E2\mathscr{E}_{2}, since neither distance nor area is a primitive notion in the language of E2\mathscr{E}_{2}. In this paper, we introduce an alternative axiom system Ed\mathscr{E}_{d} in a two-sorted language, which takes a two-place distance function dd as the only geometric primitive. We also present a conservative extension Eda\mathscr{E}_{da} of it, which also incorporates a three-place angle function aa. The system Ed\mathscr{E}_{d} has two distinctive features: it is simple (with a single geometric primitive) and it is quantitative. Numerical distance can be directly expressed in this language. The Axiom of Similarity plays a central role in Ed\mathscr{E}_{d}, effectively killing two birds with one stone: it provides a rigorous foundation for the theory of proportion and similarity, and it implies Euclid's Parallel Postulate (EPP). The Axiom of Similarity can be viewed as a quantitative formulation of EPP. The Pythagorean theorem and other quantitative results from similarity theory can be directly expressed in the languages of Ed\mathscr{E}_{d} and Eda\mathscr{E}_{da}, motivating the name Quantitative Euclidean Geometry. The traditional analytic geometry can be united under synthetic geometry in Ed\mathscr{E}_{d}. Namely, analytic geometry is not treated as a model of Ed\mathscr{E}_{d}, but rather, its statements can be expressed as first-order formal sentences in the language of Ed\mathscr{E}_{d}. The system Ed\mathscr{E}_{d} is shown to be consistent, complete, and decidable. Finally, we extend the theories to hyperbolic geometry and Euclidean geometry in higher dimensions.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2511.08494,
  title  = {First-Order Axiom Systems $\mathscr{E}_{d}$ and $\mathscr{E}_{da}$ Extending Tarski's $\mathscr{E}_{2}$ with Distance and Angle Function Symbols for Quantitative Euclidean Geometry},
  author = {Hongyu Guo},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2511.08494},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

34 pages, 32 figures

R2 v1 2026-07-01T07:32:34.408Z