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HOW MATHEMATICS HAPPENED: THE FIRST 50,000 YEARS by Peter S. Rudman (2006 HC){T4
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eBay item number:266896328544
Item specifics
- Condition
- Brand New: A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages. See all condition definitionsopens in a new window or tab
- Features
- Dust Jacket
- ISBN
- 9781591024774
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Prometheus Books, Publishers
ISBN-10
1591024773
ISBN-13
9781591024774
eBay Product ID (ePID)
53849916
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
316 Pages
Language
English
Publication Name
How Mathematics Happened : the First 50000 Years
Publication Year
2006
Subject
History & Philosophy, Earth Sciences / Meteorology & Climatology
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Mathematics, Science
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
1 in
Item Weight
0 Oz
Item Length
9.1 in
Item Width
6.4 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2006-020255
Dewey Edition
22
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
510.93
Table Of Content
Introduction; The Birth of Arithmetic; Pebble Counting Evolves into Written Numbers; Mathematics in the Valley of the Nile; Mathematics by the Waters of Babylon; Mathematics Attains Maturity: Rigorous Proof; We Learn History to Be Able to Repeat It; Index.
Synopsis
In this fascinating discussion of ancient mathematics, author Peter Rudman does not just chronicle the archaeological record of what mathematics was done; he digs deeper into the more important question of why it was done in a particular way. Why did the Egyptians use a bizarre method of expressing fractions? Why did the Babylonians use an awkward number system based on multiples of 60? Rudman answers such intriguing questions, arguing that some mathematical thinking is universal and timeless. The similarity of the Babylonian and Mayan number systems, two cultures widely separated in time and space, illustrates the argument. He then traces the evolution of number systems from finger counting in hunter-gatherer cultures to pebble counting in herder-farmer cultures of the Nile and Tigris-Euphrates valleys, which defined the number systems that continued to be used even after the invention of writing. With separate chapters devoted to the remarkable Egyptian and Babylonian mathematics of the era from about 3500 to 2000 BCE, when all of the basic arithmetic operations and even quadratic algebra became doable, Rudman concludes his interpretation of the archaeological record. Since some of the mathematics formerly credited to the Greeks is now known to be a prior Babylonian invention, Rudman adds a chapter that discusses the math used by Pythagoras, Eratosthenes, and Hippasus, which has Babylonian roots, illustrating the watershed difference in abstraction and rigor that the Greeks introduced. He also suggests that we might improve present-day teaching by taking note of how the Greeks taught math. Complete with sidebars offering recreational math brainteasers, this engrossing discussion of the evolution of mathematics will appeal to both scholars and lay readers with an interest in mathematics and its history., Discussing ancient mathematics, this work digs deeper into the question of why it was done in a particular way. Why did the Egyptians use a bizarre method of expressing fractions? Why did Babylonians use an awkward number system based on multiples of 60? It answers such questions, arguing that some mathematical thinking is universal and timeless., In this fascinating discussion of ancient mathematics, author Peter Rudman does not just chronicle the archeological record of what mathematics was done; he digs deeper into the more important question of why it was done in a particular way. Why did the Egyptians use a bizarre method of expressing fractions? Why did the Babylonians use an awkward number system based on multiples of 60? Rudman answers such intriguing questions, arguing that some mathematical thinking is universal and timeless. The similarity of the Babylonian and Mayan number systems, two cultures widely separated in time and space, illustrates the argument. He then traces the evolution of number systems from finger counting in hunter-gatherer cultures to pebble counting in herder-farmer cultures of the Nile and Tigris-Euphrates valleys, which defined the number systems that continued to be used even after the invention of writing. With separate chapters devoted to the remarkable Egyptian and Babylonian mathematics of the era from about 3500 to 2000 BCE, when all of the basic arithmetic operations and even quadratic algebra became doable, Rudman concludes his interpretation of the archeological record. Since some of the mathematics formerly credited to the Greeks is now known to be a prior Babylonian invention, Rudman adds a chapter that discusses the math used by Pythagoras, Eratosthenes, and Hippasus, which has Babylonian roots, illustrating the watershed difference in abstraction and rigor that the Greeks introduced. He also suggests that we might improve present-day teaching by taking note of how the Greeks taught math. Complete with sidebars offering recreational math brainteasers, this engrossing discussion of the evolution of mathematics will appeal to both scholars and lay readers with an interest in mathematics and its history.
LC Classification Number
QA22.R86 2006
Item description from the seller
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Seller feedback (10,577)
- _***m (41)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseBest packing job ever! Item as described, works great!
- s***d (261)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseExcellent seller and very fast shipping! Thank you!!
- e***2 (116)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseGreat purchase experience from this seller, would recommend to other customers