1
$\begingroup$

The celebrated Bolyai-Gerwin theorem states that

"In the Euclidean plane, two simple polygons are scissors-equivalent if and only if they have the same area."

By scissor-equivalent, we meant that one polygon can be dissected by straight lines and the remaining pieces can be placed in a way (no overlapping allowed) that they form the another one.

I am aware that the same holds for the spherical and hyperbolic 2-dimensional geometries. I would like to ask the community for a reference on the proof of Bolyai-Gerwin theorem for the spherical and for the hyperbolic cases. Any reference will be really appreciated.

1 Answers 1

2

In Hartshorne's book, apparently Gerwien did the spherical case himself. I should point out that Hartshorne is doing the axiomatic approach as much as possible. Earlier contributors, certainly before Hilbert got involved, were thinking in terms compatible with the real numbers.

enter image description here

  • 0
    Do you know, by chance, if is Gerwien's paper in english? Or if someone exposed Gerwien's proof in a recent work, seminar etc? Thank you very much.2017-02-11
  • 0
    Maybe I should say that I don't have access to the papers from were I am. Thanks again.2017-02-11
  • 1
    @matgaio Gerwien (1833) is in German, only about 7 pages. So is Finzel (1912), about 23 pages. I don't have either article, or know of relevant seminars.2017-02-11