Starting at the Beginning : Numbers

Starting at the Beginning : Numbers
A Treasure Hunt on History of Math

created by Joan Grief

Introduction | The Questions | Internet Resources

Introduction

Mathematics has been used over many centuries and civilizations. Use the internet links to uncover some interesting facts and treasures about the History of Mathematics. Remember this is only the beginning. We see no end to the advancement of mathematics in the fields of science and technology.

Questions

What is Julia Robinson famous for?
The horizontal fraction bar was used first in what civilization? What did the Romans use to indicate fractions? What was the base system the Babylonians used?
What are two ways that Roman Numerals are used today?
Why was the Indian brave called SOHCAHTOA?
Where was Fibonacci born?
Given the definition of a Star of Lakshmi and draw a picture of it. What film was the Star of Lakshmi in?
Why does the abacus exist? What is the difference between a counting board and an abacus?
Where did the Babylonians live? What is the abstract form of writing called that the Sumerians used?
How do you write the numerals 1, 10, and 100 in Egyptian hieroglyphics?

The Internet Resources

Chronology of Mathematicans - history of mathematicians and their biographies
Ancient Numbers - history of ancient numbers
Math Forum - math history, puzzles, tutorial
Wikipedia - mathematicians and math history
Math World - history of terminology of mathematical symbols used in various areas
Abacus - the art of calculating with beads, history of abacus
History of Ancient Mathematics - an overview of Babylonian mathematics
Egyptian Hieroglyphics -

The Big Question

Now that you have researched the History of Mathematics, look at your answers to the questions and state 3 - 5 main facts and conclusions that you have learned.

Content by Joan Grief, grief@gforcecable.com
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/hunthistoryjo1.html
Last revised Thu May 21 18:02:34 US/Pacific 2009