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Math notes

The document outlines the history of mathematics from prehistoric times to the Greek period, highlighting key developments and figures. It discusses early mathematical artifacts, Egyptian and Babylonian contributions, and significant Greek mathematicians such as Pythagoras, Euclid, Archimedes, and Diophantus. Each section emphasizes the evolution of mathematical concepts and systems that laid the groundwork for modern mathematics.

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2 views

Math notes

The document outlines the history of mathematics from prehistoric times to the Greek period, highlighting key developments and figures. It discusses early mathematical artifacts, Egyptian and Babylonian contributions, and significant Greek mathematicians such as Pythagoras, Euclid, Archimedes, and Diophantus. Each section emphasizes the evolution of mathematical concepts and systems that laid the groundwork for modern mathematics.

Uploaded by

foobarbaz456
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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History of Mathematics: Key Developments and Figures

1. Early Beginnings (Prehistoric to Ancient Civilizations)

• Prehistoric Mathematics: Evidence of early mathematical thinking can be found in


artifacts such as the Ishango Bone (c. 20,000 BCE) and the Lebombo Bone (c. 43,000
BCE), which may indicate early counting or calendrical systems.

• Egyptian Mathematics:

◦ Egyptians developed early geometry, particularly in land measurement for


agriculture and construction (e.g., the pyramids).
◦ The Rhind Papyrus (c. 1650 BCE) contains arithmetic and geometry problems,
including methods for multiplication, division, and area calculation.
◦ The Egyptians used a base 10 system but lacked a symbol for zero.
• Babylonian Mathematics:

◦ The Babylonians (c. 1900 BCE) developed a base-60 (sexagesimal) number


system, still used in time and angular measurement.
◦ They had advanced knowledge of algebra, using tables for multiplication,
division, and square roots.
◦ The Plimpton 322 tablet (c. 1800 BCE) is a famous example of their
understanding of Pythagorean triples.
2. Greek Mathematics (600 BCE – 300 CE)

• Pythagoras and the Pythagorean Theorem:

◦ Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BCE) and his followers contributed to the understanding
of numbers and their properties.
◦ The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the
hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
• Euclid:

◦ Euclid (c. 300 BCE), known as the "Father of Geometry," wrote "Elements,"
which became the standard textbook for teaching mathematics for over 2,000
years.
◦ Euclid's work was foundational in the development of logic and proof-based
mathematics.
• Archimedes:

◦ Archimedes (c. 287–212 BCE) made significant contributions to geometry,


calculus, and mechanics. He is famous for discovering the formula for the area of
a circle and for his work on the principles of levers, pulleys, and buoyancy.
• Diophantus:

◦ Diophantus (c. 250 CE), known as the "Father of Algebra," introduced algebraic
notation and methods for solving equations, laying the groundwork for future
developments in algebra.

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