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The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, and Islam: A Sourcebook
In recent decades it has become obvious that mathematics has always been a worldwide activity. But this is the first book to provide a substantial collection of English translations of key mathematical texts from the five most important ancient and medieval non-Western mathematical cultures, and to put them into full historical and mathematical context. The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, and Islam gives English readers a firsthand understanding and appreciation of these cultures' important contributions to world mathematics.
The five section authors―Annette Imhausen (Egypt), Eleanor Robson (Mesopotamia), Joseph Dauben (China), Kim Plofker (India), and J. Lennart Berggren (Islam)―are experts in their fields. Each author has selected key texts and in many cases provided new translations. The authors have also written substantial section introductions that give an overview of each mathematical culture and explanatory notes that put each selection into context. This authoritative commentary allows readers to understand the sometimes unfamiliar mathematics of these civilizations and the purpose and significance of each text.
Addressing a critical gap in the mathematics literature in English, this book is an essential resource for anyone with at least an undergraduate degree in mathematics who wants to learn about non-Western mathematical developments and how they helped shape and enrich world mathematics. The book is also an indispensable guide for mathematics teachers who want to use non-Western mathematical ideas in the classroom.
The five section authors―Annette Imhausen (Egypt), Eleanor Robson (Mesopotamia), Joseph Dauben (China), Kim Plofker (India), and J. Lennart Berggren (Islam)―are experts in their fields. Each author has selected key texts and in many cases provided new translations. The authors have also written substantial section introductions that give an overview of each mathematical culture and explanatory notes that put each selection into context. This authoritative commentary allows readers to understand the sometimes unfamiliar mathematics of these civilizations and the purpose and significance of each text.
Addressing a critical gap in the mathematics literature in English, this book is an essential resource for anyone with at least an undergraduate degree in mathematics who wants to learn about non-Western mathematical developments and how they helped shape and enrich world mathematics. The book is also an indispensable guide for mathematics teachers who want to use non-Western mathematical ideas in the classroom.
704 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2007
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About the author
Annette Imhausen
10 books8 followers"After having studied mathematics, history of mathematics and Egyptology,
I am working on the history of pre-Greek mathematics, specifically contexts, techniques and transmission of ancient Egyptian mathematics from the invention of writing (around 3000 BCE) until the Graeco-Roman period."
I am working on the history of pre-Greek mathematics, specifically contexts, techniques and transmission of ancient Egyptian mathematics from the invention of writing (around 3000 BCE) until the Graeco-Roman period."
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 22, 2017
Well-written and accessible for us layfolk. It has a lot of useful information. All of my math knowledge is what I barely scraped out of high school, long forgotten. After reading this, I wish I learnt this stuff in math class! Babylonians had personal libraries, Egyptians could calculate labor time for construction contracts, did India discover Pi (is that right?), China's heavenly math is mystical, philosophical and beautiful, Islam brought sacred geometry to new levels!
If food, maybe a unity of different religions feasting together. Only, they are able to dine together without religious jargon or debates. The food could be bright, colorful with precise nutritional amounts. It must be symmetrical fruit and veggie platters from all over the world, each representing their own regional harvest. Complete with dips featuring local spices.
If food, maybe a unity of different religions feasting together. Only, they are able to dine together without religious jargon or debates. The food could be bright, colorful with precise nutritional amounts. It must be symmetrical fruit and veggie platters from all over the world, each representing their own regional harvest. Complete with dips featuring local spices.
December 31, 2019
Modem, entertaining, clearly written, with lots of context.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews