The Story of Maths traces the origin of mathematics right from its root. Aside from the history
and development of the said subject, this
documentary also imposes the viewers the question whether maths was invented by man or was present from the start of
time.
The documentary was cut into parts according to eras contributing to the topic. Part 1 introduces the very conception of math on earth. This includes the first use of math and the civilizations where it was first used.
The Ancient Egyptians were the first to use and benefit from maths. Egypt was, and still is, known for its great river – the Nile. The Nile was the people's life line. They depend on it as it was their source for everything. It can be put that the Nile governed the civilization. Egyptians counted the days of duration before the flooding of the river. This gives them the time for preparation so as not to fall victim in the devastating effect of the flooding the great river. Whether they were aware of it or not, maths was part of their daily lives. Mostly, it was used in their agriculture. Dissemination of fields for planting and their corresponding taxes required analytical methods and they have used maths for this method.
To make life easier and convenient they have developed a system of units for measurement. They used their body parts for assigning different units of measurements. Another great contribution, the decimal system, was conceptualized. They have also developed fraction and was symbolized by the Eye of Horus, in which different parts
represented a portion of the whole. The binary system has been already in use 3,000 years before its invention. Their greatest contribution in the world, the Pyramids of Giza, was done using the concept of maths. All these development and inventions were fortunately recorded in papyrus and became reference for further great innovations in the
future.
The Babylonians were credited as the second civilization that has used maths. As their daily lives go, they were fond of board games with numbers. Not long after, the Babylonians developed a number system based on the cycle of the moon. This was their very own based 60 number system. In coordination with the Egyptians, the Babylonians made use of their knuckles and fingers to come up with their numbers. The Babylonians have made symbols for their numbers one to sixty. But the number zero hasn’t existed and so, they have left a space in the symbol for sixty. This was the first indication of the use of zero. Perhaps one of the most important matters in the subject, the quadratic equation, was developed for the use of their fields. This was followed by the conceptualization of the right-angle triangle. Likewise, all of these developments were recorded, such as the Plimpton 322.
History wouldn't be complete with the Greek and the Roman civilizations. The Greek further developed mathematics with the addition of proofs and geometry and perhaps the most well-known mathematicians. This period saw the birth of the ideas of Pythagoras, Euclid, Archimedes and other great mathematicians which would greatly define maths. The Romans would further take mathematics to a higher level by developing the practical use of maths.
The latter civilizations conclude the first part of The Story of Maths. As was evident, the contributions made by the people of these periods would change the course of living of the people of today and the future. The developments not only made their lives, but the life of man in general, convenient. Without them there would be no numbers, no infrastructures, no buildings, no fair taxes, no board games, no "Golden Ratio" that is basis to many a thing, and many other things enjoyed by man. Mankind would eternally be indebted to them with their life-changing innovations.
The documentary was cut into parts according to eras contributing to the topic. Part 1 introduces the very conception of math on earth. This includes the first use of math and the civilizations where it was first used.
The Ancient Egyptians were the first to use and benefit from maths. Egypt was, and still is, known for its great river – the Nile. The Nile was the people's life line. They depend on it as it was their source for everything. It can be put that the Nile governed the civilization. Egyptians counted the days of duration before the flooding of the river. This gives them the time for preparation so as not to fall victim in the devastating effect of the flooding the great river. Whether they were aware of it or not, maths was part of their daily lives. Mostly, it was used in their agriculture. Dissemination of fields for planting and their corresponding taxes required analytical methods and they have used maths for this method.
To make life easier and convenient they have developed a system of units for measurement. They used their body parts for assigning different units of measurements. Another great contribution, the decimal system, was conceptualized. They have also developed fraction and was symbolized by the Eye of Horus, in which different parts
represented a portion of the whole. The binary system has been already in use 3,000 years before its invention. Their greatest contribution in the world, the Pyramids of Giza, was done using the concept of maths. All these development and inventions were fortunately recorded in papyrus and became reference for further great innovations in the
future.
The Babylonians were credited as the second civilization that has used maths. As their daily lives go, they were fond of board games with numbers. Not long after, the Babylonians developed a number system based on the cycle of the moon. This was their very own based 60 number system. In coordination with the Egyptians, the Babylonians made use of their knuckles and fingers to come up with their numbers. The Babylonians have made symbols for their numbers one to sixty. But the number zero hasn’t existed and so, they have left a space in the symbol for sixty. This was the first indication of the use of zero. Perhaps one of the most important matters in the subject, the quadratic equation, was developed for the use of their fields. This was followed by the conceptualization of the right-angle triangle. Likewise, all of these developments were recorded, such as the Plimpton 322.
History wouldn't be complete with the Greek and the Roman civilizations. The Greek further developed mathematics with the addition of proofs and geometry and perhaps the most well-known mathematicians. This period saw the birth of the ideas of Pythagoras, Euclid, Archimedes and other great mathematicians which would greatly define maths. The Romans would further take mathematics to a higher level by developing the practical use of maths.
The latter civilizations conclude the first part of The Story of Maths. As was evident, the contributions made by the people of these periods would change the course of living of the people of today and the future. The developments not only made their lives, but the life of man in general, convenient. Without them there would be no numbers, no infrastructures, no buildings, no fair taxes, no board games, no "Golden Ratio" that is basis to many a thing, and many other things enjoyed by man. Mankind would eternally be indebted to them with their life-changing innovations.
I admit I was really amazed how the Babylonians use Mathematics even in their recreational activities. But it was just then I realized that all of us use it in everything we do, consciously or unconsciously.
ReplyDeleteit's fascinating how the early civilizations were able to contribute a lot just by dealing with their daily problems. indeed, we should be thankful to them for they have made our lives easier. :)
ReplyDelete