A Brief History of Mathematics

50 Centuries in 50 Minutes

(A Brief History of Mathematics)

John Dersch

9/19/2012

Where to Start?

• Depends on answer to "what is Mathematics?"
• Counting, with names and symbols; basic geometric concepts such as measurement-origins lost in pre-history

Mathematics in Early Civilizations

• Egypt - 3100 B.C
• Mesopotamia (Babylonia) - 2100 B.C
• China - 1600 B.C
• India - 1200 B.C

Proof by Deductive Reasoning

• Greece: 600 B.C (thales) - 400 A.D (hypatia)
• Geometry: Content and Approach set standard for 2000+ years
• Axiomatic approach, emphasis on logic, proof
• Some number theory, very little algebra
• Beginnings of Trigonometry (150 B.C)

Greek Matematicians

• Pythagoras - 6th B.C
• Euclid - 4th B.C. Elements   Euclid=TRUTH
• Archimedes - 3rd B.C Geometry, Number Theory, Calculus ideas
• Appolonius - 2nd B.C Conic Sections

Europe: 400 - 1200 A.D

• Mathematical Wasteland

Middle East: 700 - 1200 A.D

• Preserved, translated Greek Geometry
• Hindu/Arabic numerals, decimal fractions: 800 - 1200 A.D
• Algebra - "The Condensed Book on the Calculation of Al-Jabr", c.825 (al-khwarizmi)
• Geometric Solutions of Cubic (Omar Khayyam - 1100 A.D)
• Much is available but unknown

Europe Begins to Awaken

• Hindu/Arabic numerals entered Europe via Spain - 10th century or erlier
• Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci) - Liber Abbaci, 1228 - advocate of Hindu/Arabic numeral

• Tool 300+ years for universal adoption across Europe-Abacists versus Algorists
• In  1450, you had to go to Italy....

Note: Penamaan Masehi Umat Kristiani

A.D --> Anno Domini (Tahun Tuhan Kita)
B.C --> Before Christ (Sebelum Kristus)