eli5:locally euclidean vs euclidean what is the difference in layman’s terms?

Question

eli5:locally euclidean vs euclidean what is the difference in layman’s terms?

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

It’s why Flat Earther’s can think the Earth is flat. If you’re close enough to the surface, or if you zoom in enough, then the Earth is basically indistinguishable from a flat plane. You need to zoom out, or traverse large distances in order to have non-euclidean structures like curvature to begin to matter.