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Mathematical History BCE
A history of mathematics from cultures during BCE.
Created by
Mrs. Whitcomb
⟶ Updated 25 Nov 2018 ⟶
List of edits
Comments
Events
First Notched Tally Bones
Earliest documented counting and measuring system
Earliest fully-developed base 10 number system in use
Multiplication tables, geometrical exercises and division problems
Earliest papyri showing numeration system and basic arithmetic
Clay tablets dealing with fractions, algebra and equations
Rhind Papyrus (instruction manual in arithmetic, geometry, unit fractions, etc)
First decimal numeration system with place value concept
Early Vedic mantras invoke powers of ten from a hundred all the way up to a trillion
“Sulba Sutra” lists several Pythagorean triples and simplified Pythagorean theorem for the sides of a square and a rectangle, quite accurate approximation to √2
Lo Shu order three (3 x 3) “magic square” in which each row, column and diagonal sums to 15
Early developments in geometry, including work on similar and right triangles
Expansion of geometry, rigorous approach building from first principles, square and triangular numbers, Pythagoras’ theorem
Discovered potential existence of irrational numbers while trying to calculate the value of √2
Describes a series of paradoxes concerning infinity and infinitesimals
First systematic compilation of geometrical knowledge, Lune of Hippocrates
Developments in geometry and fractions, volume of a cone
Platonic solids, statement of the Three Classical Problems, influential teacher and popularizer of mathematics, insistence on rigorous proof and logical methods
Method for rigorously proving statements about areas and volumes by successive approximations
Development and standardization of logic (although not then considered part of mathematics) and deductive reasoning
Definitive statement of classical (Euclidean) geometry, use of axioms and postulates, many formulas, proofs and theorems including Euclid’s Theorem on infinitude of primes
Formulas for areas of regular shapes, “method of exhaustion” for approximating areas and value of π, comparison of infinities
“Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art”, including guide to how to solve equations using sophisticated matrix-based methods
Pre-classic Mayans developed the concept of zero by at least this time
