Brief History of Mathematics

2000 BC Earlier a place value notation number system had evolved over a lengthy period with a number base of 60

 1700 BC i. Phytegores theorem a2+b2 = c2 ii. Linear equations were studied in the context of solving number problems iii. Quadratic equations were also studied and these examples led to a type of numerical algebra iv. Geometric problems relating to similar figures, area and volume were also studied and values obtained for

 450 BC i. The Babylon basics of Mathematics was developed by Greek ii. Further mathematical discoveries were driven by the astronomy, for example the study of trigonometry

 300 BC to 200 AD i. Major Greek progress in mathematics ii. After this time progress continued in Islamic countries

 16th Century i. Major progress in mathematics in Europe began again ii. Algebraic solution of cubic and quartic equations by Pacioli iii. Cardan, Tartaglia, Ferrari Copernicus and Galileo revolutionised the applications of mathematics to the study of the universe

 17th Century i. Napier, Briggs and others greatly extend the power of mathematics and discover the law of logarithms ii. Cavalieri made progress towards the infinitesimal calculus iii. Descartes added the power of algebraic methods to geometry iv. Progress towards the calculus continued with Fermat, who, together with Pascal, began the mathematical study of probability

 18th Century i Euler who, in addition to work in a wide range of mathematical areas, was to invent two new branches, namely the calculus of variations and differential geometry ii Lagrange was to begin a rigorous theory of functions and of mechanics

v. Newton and Barrow (Newtons teacher), developed the calculus into a tool to push forward the study of nature. They show the interaction between mathematics, physics and astronomy vi. Newton's theory of gravitation and his theory of light take us into the 18th Century

 19th Century In geometry Plcker produced fundamental work on analytic geometry and Steiner in synthetic geometry

The roles of Mathematics

Mathematics as a Language What is Mathematics? Often, people equate mathematics with arithmetic Traditionally, the major emphasis of the K-8 mathematics curriculum has been to teach children arithmetic Mathematics involves more than computation Mathematics should include experiences that help students to shift their thinking about mathematics

 Mathematics as a Language

Blake wrote: "I have heard many People say, 'Give me the Ideas. It is no matter what Words you put them into.'" To this he replies, "Ideas cannot be Given but in their minutely Appropriate Words."
William Blake (quoted by J. Newman, The World of Mathematics, 1956)

 Mathematicians need to be clear and concise when they communicate Our math education system pays some attention to the idea that math is a language. For example: Some math teachers make use of cooperative learning(an environment that encourages students to communicate mathematical ideas) Some math assessment instruments require that students explain what it is they are doing as they solve the math problems in the assessment.

 Mathematics as a Science Mathematics is important in physics and astronomy an analytic tool applied to experimental data generating a formula that describes some basic tendency of nature use with existing theory to deduce an unknown quantity

 Mathematics as a Way of Thinking The process of learning mathematics necessarily involves learning certain ways of thinking One of the reasons to learn problem solving in our Mathematics curriculum Seeing connections is a big part of mathematical problem solving and theorem proving provide powerful support for business decision

 Mathematics as the Art of Calculation Mathematics consists of techniques for getting answers Calculation is at the very root of Mathematics In China, abacus is the art of calculation.

 Mathematics is a Patterns and Relationships Patterns and relationships are found in aspects of math such as counting and geometry Number patternssuch as 3, 6, 9, 12are familiar to us since they are among the patterns we first learn as young students Mathematics is especially useful when it helps you predict, and number patterns are all about prediction

 Recognizing number patterns is also an important problem-solving skill If you see a pattern when you look systematically at specific examples, you can use that pattern to generalize what you see into a broader solution to a problem

 Mathematics is a Tool or an instrument Mathematics can solve abstract problem in the mathematical problems It also can solve daily life activities One of the best examples is when a person is cooking