The Clifford-Grassmann Geometric Algebra  

   The geometric algebra is the tool that allows us to study and solve geometric problems through a simpler and more direct way than a purely geometric reasoning, that is, by means of the algebra of geometric quantities instead of synthetic geometry. In fact, the geometric algebra is the Clifford algebra generated by Grassmann's exterior product in a vector space, although for me, the geometric algebra is also the art of stating and solving geometric equations, which correspond to geometric problems, by isolating the unknown geometric quantity using the algebraic rules of vector operations (such as the associative, distributive  and permutative properties).
     Initially imagined and proposed by Leibniz (characteristica geometrica), the geometric algebra was realized by Hermann Grassmann and William Kingdon Clifford, who established its bases during the XIX century. However, the deaths of Grassmann (1877), and Clifford being 33 years old (1879) truncated prematurely its development. Instead of that, the vector analysis created by Josiah Willard Gibbs and Oliver Heaviside played the role of the geometric language for the three-dimensional space along the XXth century. Nevertheless, the vector analysis is unable to describe the Relativity and Quantum theory so that an increasing attention to the geometric algebra has been paid. Because of its powerful methods and applications, the CGGA will become the geometric language of the XXIst century.
    Peano summarises what the geometric algebra is in the following words:

"And certainly, these diverse methods of geometric calculus do not contradict themselves. They are whether the diverse parts of the same science or the diverse ways through which the same matter appears to many authors, each one of them studies it independently of the others.
    Since the geometric calculus, as any other method, is not a system of conventions but a system of truth. So the method of the indivisible quantities (Cavalieri), of the infinitesimals (Leibniz), of the fluxions (Newton) are the same science, more or less perfect, and exposed under diverse form."

    According to Peano and D. Hestenes, we should talk about the geometric algebra as a unique subject and field of research, although its historical development had many partial steps and obstacles with contributions from many authors (mainly Grassmann, Clifford, Hamilton, Peano and others). On the other hand, the adjective "geometric" is obvious, but we thought that the geometric algebra should earn it: the most books about geometry do not use it at all, a Kafkian situation. In the frame of the challenge to make geometry using the geometric algebra I wrote the Tractat de geometria plana mitjançant l'àlgebra geomètrica and an enlarged translation, the Treatise of plane geometry through geometric algebra. I believe -I think that the readers will agree with me- that in this book the Clifford-Grassmann algebra has displayed its power and it has won the adjective geometric.

What is the Clifford-Grassmann Geometric Algebra (CGGA)?

How did I arrive to CGGA?

Who was who in the CGGA?

Examples of application of CGGA to the plane geometry

Links about CGGA

Meetings on CGGA 

My publications about the CGGA:

R. González, Tractat de geometria plana mitjançant l'àlgebra geomètrica. (Cerdanyola del Vallès, 1996).

R. González, J. Homs, J. Solsona. "Estimació de l'error comès en determinar el lloc des d'on s'ha pres una fotografia". Butlletí de la Societat Catalana de Matemàtiques 12 (1997) 51-71

R. González, J. Homs, J. Solsona. "Estimate of the error committed in determining the place from where a photograph has been taken". (English translation of the former paper).

R. González, Treatise of plane geometry through geometric algebra, electronic edition (Cerdanyola del Vallès, June 2000-June 2001).

R. González, J. M. Parra, "Applications of the Clifford-Grassmann Algebra to the plane geometry". Poster presented at the 3^rd European Congress of Mathematics (Barcelona, July 10^th to 14^th, 2000).

R. González, "Why and how the geometric algebra should be taught at high school. Experiences and proposals". Talk given at the meeting Innovative Teaching of Mathematics with Geometric Algebra (ITM 2003) (Kyoto, November 20^th to 22^nd, 2003)

R. González, Treatise of plane geometry through geometric algebra, first printed edition (November 2007) (TIMSAC No.1).

R. González, "Applications of Clifford-Grassmann Algebra to the Plane Geometry". Poster presented at the 5^th European Congress of Mathematics (Amsterdam, July 14^th  to 18^th, 2008).

R. González, "Applications of Geometric Algebra and the Geometric Product to Solve Geometric Problems". Talk given at the AGACSE 2010 conference (Amsterdam, June 14^th to 16^th, 2010). 

R. González, El álgebra geométrica del espacio y tiempo (October 2011). (TIMSAC No. 3). 

R. González, "New Foundations for Geometric Algebra". Talk given at the IKM 2012 conference (Weimar, July 6^th 2012) (Clifford Analysis, Clifford Algebras and their Applications, vol 2, n. 3 (2013) pp193-211)

R. González, "How to Explain Affine Point Geometry". Talk given at the ICCA 10 conference (Tartu, August 4^th to 9^th 2014).  

R. González, "Applications of geometric algebra to plane and space geometries" (lecture), "The exterior calculus" (lecture), "The affine and projective geometries from Grassmann's point of view" (talk), "On matrix representations of geometric (Clifford) algebras" (talk). Lectures and talks given at the Alterman Conference on Geometric Algebra and Summer School on Kähler Calculus (Braşov, August 1^st-9^th 2016), Early Proceedings of the Alterman Conference on Geometric Algebra and Summer School on Kähler Calculus (2016) pp. 15-42, pp.43-57, pp. 198-226, pp.312-338 respectively.  

R. González, "On Matrix Representations of Clifford algebras" J. of Geometry and Symmetry in Physics 43 (2017) 1-36.

R. González, "The Solution to the Three-Body Problem and Some Applications". J. of Geometry and Symmetry in Physics 49 (2018) 1-61. --->   Go to my papers on astronomy

Last update: September 5^th, 2024