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History of Math

The document is a practice exam for a history of mathematics course that covers multiple choice and essay questions about ancient numeration systems. The multiple choice section tests knowledge of the numeration systems used by civilizations like the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Mayans and more. The essay questions ask students to differentiate between numeration systems, numbers and numerals, and explain the development of early counting systems. Students are also asked to write the number 7,100 using different ancient numeration systems.

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Trebor Swiss
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392 views

History of Math

The document is a practice exam for a history of mathematics course that covers multiple choice and essay questions about ancient numeration systems. The multiple choice section tests knowledge of the numeration systems used by civilizations like the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Mayans and more. The essay questions ask students to differentiate between numeration systems, numbers and numerals, and explain the development of early counting systems. Students are also asked to write the number 7,100 using different ancient numeration systems.

Uploaded by

Trebor Swiss
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Prelim Examination in Math 116-History of Mathematics

I. Multiple-Choice. Write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.
1. Which of the following numeration system is predominantly additive?
A. Chinese B. Babylonian C. Egyptian D. Mayan
2. Which of the following supplements the additive notation in writing numbers?
A. multiplicative notation C. subtractive notation
B. place value notation D. decimal notation
3. What numeration system uses pictures of everyday objects like coiled rope to denote numbers?
A. Chinese B. Babylonian C. Egyptian D. Greek
4. What is the base of Inca numeration system?
A. 10 B. 20 C. 60 D. 100
5. The wedge-shaped impressions in the clay used by Babylonians are referred to as
A. rod numerals B. hieroglyphics C. cuneiform D. archaic symbols
6. Which of the following civilizations use the letters of the alphabet to denote numbers?
A. Babylonian B. Inca C. Mayan D. Greek
7. The lotus blossom is used in hieroglyphics to mean
A. 10 B. 100 C. 1000 D. 10,000
8. When Egyptians write symbols representing two bent fingers, this would mean
A. 2 B. 200 C. 2000 D. 20, 000
9. Which of the following numeration system does NOT use decimal system?
A. Egyptian B. Hindu-Arabic C. Inca D. Babylonian
10. Which of the following civilizations is credited for the development of sexagesimal system?
A. Egyptian B. Greek C. Inca D. Babylonian
11. What is most likely the reason why wedge-like marks were used by Babylonians?
A. stylus is most convenient to use on wet clay
B. papyrus abound in Euphrates and Tigris
C. knots were practically part of Babylonian culture
D . reeds were used to write numerals
12. Which of the following was used by Inca to record numbers?
A. hieroglyphics B. clay tabets C. quipus D. carvings
13. Which of the following is true about the Roman numerals?
A. I may be used more than 5 times
B. V may be written before X
C. CV means 105
D. D means 10
14. A bar drawn above a set of symbols in Roman numeration means
A. value of the symbols should be multiplied by 10 000
B. value of the symbols should be multiplied by 1000
C. the symbols serve as the denominator of the fraction
D. symbols signify very large numbers
15. Which of the following is the usual technique used in ancient positional number system to denote
“zero”?
A. apostrophe B. comma C. dot D. space
II. Essay (30 points)
1. Differentiate vigesimal, decimal and sexagesimal systems in writing numbers. Give examples of
civilizations that made use of these writing systems.
2. Differentiate numbers from numerals. Give examples to expound your answer.
3. In different parts of the world, ancient civilizations have independently developed ways of counting
and representing numbers. What could probably be the reason of the development of numeration
systems by our ancestors?
III. Write 7100 by using Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Mayan, and Roman numerals. Show your process.
Course: Math 116-History of Mathematics Prelim / Midterm Finals

Total Points: 80 Semester 2nd A. Y. 2011-2012

Levels/ Topics Literal Interpretive Evaluative Total


Knowledge Application Synthesis
Comprehension Analysis Evaluation
Items Items Items
Beginning of II. 2, 3 20
Reckoning(development
of counting, Artifacts
(20 points)
and Mathematics,
Numbers and
Numerals)

Additive and I. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, I. 8, 14 I. 11, 13 50


Subtractive Notation 7, 9, 10, 12, 15 (4 points)
a. Egyptian
III. (20 points)
b. Babylonian
c. Greek
d. Roman
(22 points) (24 points) (4 points)
Place Value Notation II. 1 10
a. sexagesimal
b. decimal
c. vegisemal
(10 points)
TOTAL 22 24 34 80

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