Question

Which Greek scholar is credited with being the first person to accurately calculate the circumference of Earth? (1 point)

Thales

Anaximander

Ptolemy

Aristotle

Eratosthenes

Answer 1

Eratosthenes was the first to accurately calculate the circumference of the earth

Answer 2

Eratosthenes can be credited with being the 'first person' to calculate the 'circumference of the earth'.

Step-by-step explanation:

• Eratosthenes measured the circumference of the earth by noting the 'angle of shadows' in two cities on 'summer solstice' and by performing calculations using his knowledge and geometry.

• He lived in Alexandria which was in North Egypt.

• He used Alexandria and Syene, a city in South Egypt for calculating the angle of shadow made on summer solstice because he knew that the 'sun was never overhead' in Alexandria even on summer solstice.

• He measured the distance between the 'two cities' and applied geometry for calculating the 'circumference of the earth' in stadia which was a unit of measurement used at that time.