A geometric identity for Pappus' theorem

Abstract

An expression in the exterior algebra of a Peano space yielding Pappus' theorem was originally given by Doubilet, Rota, and Stein [Doubilet, P., Rota, G.-C. & Stein, J. (1974) Stud. Appl. Math. 8, 185-216]. Motivated by an identity of Rota, I give an identity in a Grassmann-Cayley algebra of step 3, involving joins and meets alone, which expresses the theorem of Pappus.