The book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of Old Babylonian mathematics and its role in real life.

K.B.Gundlach, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2001

Mathematics was integral to Mesopotamian scribal culture: indeed, writing was invented towards the end of the fourth millennium BC for the express purpose of recording numerical information. By the beginning of the second millennium the earliest known body of 'pure' mathematics was one of the key elements of scribal training, and is thus pivotal to our understanding of the educational practices and intellectual history of ancient Mesopotamia. The main body of this book is a mathematical and philological discussion of the two hundred technical constants, or `coefficients', found in early second millennium mathematics. Their names and mathematical functions are established, leading to improved interpretations of several large mathematical topics. The origins of many coefficients - and much of the more practical mathematics - are traced to late third millennium accounting and quantity surveying practices. Finally, the coefficients are used to examine some aspects of mathematics education in early Mesopotamia.
Les mer
This book contains a study of the technical constants found in Old Babylonian mathematics 4000 years ago - the earliest `pure' mathematics in history. Their origins are traced to earlier accounting and administrative practices, and are used to examine aspects of mathematics education in early Mesopotamia.
Les mer
`The book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of Old Babylonian mathematics and its role in real life.' K.B.Gundlach, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2001
An enlightening account of the birthplace of 'pure' mathematics
An enlightening account of the birthplace of 'pure' mathematics

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780198152460
Publisert
1999
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
982 gr
Høyde
308 mm
Bredde
229 mm
Dybde
19 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
350

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