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The Disciples of Plato Trivia Quiz

These followers of Plato made substantial contributions to the sciences of mathematics and astronomy. Can you guess their names?

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
26,215

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
5

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
2 / 5

Plays
662

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 5

1. Which student of Plato developed the system of concentric spheres that became the epicycles of the Ptolemaic astronomical system? Hint

Xenophon

Isocrates

Eudoxus

Aristotle

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Question 2 of 5

2. Aside from developing the system of concentric spheres upon which the epicyclic Ptolemaic arrangement of the solar system was based, what other remarkable achievement was made by this great follower of Plato - Eudoxus? Hint

He first suggested that the solar system was sun-centered

He estimated the solar year to be 365 days and six hours long

He estimated the diameter and the circumference of the Earth accurately to within 1 mile

He read all of Aristotle's work straight through without falling asleep

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Question 3 of 5

3. A pupil of Plato's great student, who developed the system of concentric spheres borrowed by Ptolemy, was this man who advanced the system of epicycles, adding an additional seven, laying the final groundwork for the system adopted by Aristotle and Ptolemy. Who was he? Hint

Eratosthenes

Eppipides

Diophantus

Callipus

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Question 4 of 5

4. Which Platonic disciple suggested that the Earth turns on its axis every 24 hours and that the solar system might be heliocentric? Hint

Erasistratus

Herophilus

Heracleides

Hero

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Question 5 of 5

5. Another individual from the Platonic school, he initiated the study of conic sections -- the hyperbola, the parabola and the ellipse. Who was he? Hint

Alcmaeon

Asclepiades

Menaechmus

Pedanius

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which student of Plato developed the system of concentric spheres that became the epicycles of the Ptolemaic astronomical system?

Answer: Eudoxus

Eudoxus was born on the Cnidus Peninsula along the Ionian coast of Asia Minor. Working off of Plato's notion that the solar system was geocentric, he developed the system mentioned above. He was a great influence on both Ptolemy and Euclid.

Answer: He estimated the solar year to be 365 days and six hours long

Unfortunately, Eudoxus, as great a mathematician as he was, could not make the breakthrough that would have helped him to surmise that the solar system was heliocentric. Hence, the Ptolemaic geocentric tradition passed down via Plato.

Answer: Callipus

Callipus was a good friend to Aristotle, and modified the theories of Eudoxus to the point where they were adopted by Aristotle. The very complex system of spheres and epicycles was therefore developed for Aristotle to pass on down the line to Ptolemy.

4. Which Platonic disciple suggested that the Earth turns on its axis every 24 hours and that the solar system might be heliocentric?

Answer: Heracleides

The Heracleidean position, that the solar system might be heliocentric, was eventually adopted by Aristarchus. Heracleides at least knew for certain that both Mercury and Venus revolved around the sun. Unfortunately, the views of the Platonic/Aristotilean positions won out over Aristarchan theory.

5. Another individual from the Platonic school, he initiated the study of conic sections -- the hyperbola, the parabola and the ellipse. Who was he?

Answer: Menaechmus

Menaechmus, like Callipus, was a pupil of Eudoxus. He was the true innovator, developing his theory about the several conic sections, all of which could be cut from a cone. The work of Menaechmus was carried on and expanded by Apollonius of Perga several centuries later. Okay...I hope this was a mind-expanding quiz, despite its brevity. Thank you for playing along!

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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