The History of Math Essay - 4790 Words

The History of Math Mathematics, study of relationships among quantities, magnitudes, and properties and of logical operations by which unknown quantities, magnitudes, and properties may be deduced. In the past, mathematics was regarded as the science of quantity, whether of magnitudes, as in geometry, or of numbers, as in arithmetic, or of the generalization of these two fields, as in algebra. Toward the middle of the 19th century, however, mathematics came to be regarded increasingly as the science of relations, or as the science that draws necessary conclusions. This latter view encompasses mathematical or symbolic logic, the science of using symbols to provide an exact theory of logical deduction and inference based on†¦show more content†¦The Egyptians used sums of unit fractions (a), supplemented by the fraction B, to express all other fractions. For example, the fraction E was the sum of the fractions 3 and *. Using this system, the Egyptians were able to solve all problems of arithmetic that involved fractions, as well as some elementary problems in algebra. In geometry, the Egyptians calculated the correct areas of triangles, rectangles, and trapezoids and the volumes of figures such as bricks, cylinders, and pyramids. To find the area of a circle, the Egyptians used the square on U of the diameter of the circle, a value of about 3.16-close to the value of the ratio known as pi, which is about 3.14. The Babylonian system of numeration was quite different from the Egyptian system. In the Babylonian system-which, when using clay tablets, consisted of various wedge-shaped marks-a single wedge indicated 1 and an arrowlike wedge stood for 10 (see table). Numbers up through 59 were formed from these symbols through an additive process, as in Egyptian mathematics. The number 60, however, was represented by the same symbol as 1, and from this point on a positional symbol was used. That is, the value of one of the first 59 numerals depended henceforth on its position in t he total numeral. For example, a numeral consisting of a symbol for 2 followed by one for 27 and ending in one for 10 stood for 2 Ãâ€" 602 + 27 Ãâ€" 60 + 10.Show MoreRelatedHistory And History Of Math1430 Words   |  6 PagesHistory of Math in Egypt Did you know that Egyptian hieroglyphs used over 700 different picture symbols? Those symbols were used for various things including recording official texts. Every symbol meant a different thing and only scribes could write hieroglyphs since most Egyptians were illiterate. The Egyptians used hieroglyphs in math by having symbols for numbers. Examples of this would include having a coil of rope for a hundred and a lotus plant for a thousand. The Egyptians knew various typesRead MoreHistory And History Of Math1198 Words   |  5 PagesHistory of Math in Egypt We use math almost daily in our lives, but how many of us think about the history of math? 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