Mathematics 436 Spring 2006
Text
- Victor J. Katz; History of Mathematics: Brief Version
Addison Wesley (ISBN: 0321161939);
- AVAILABILITY: copies of the text have been obtained online
or at New Jersey books in New Brunswick. The Rutgers University
bookstore expects to have them by 2/10/06. Until then, I have placed
a copy of chapters 1 and 2 on reserve in the Mathematics Library
in Hill Center. Thet are available under 2 hour reserve
listed under the course number "Mathematics
571", Professor J. Tunnell, Notes on history of mathematics.
Current Semester
This course will present an overview of the development of mathematics
from ancient civilizations to the beginning of the 19th century. Selected
topics from the history of mathematics including number systems;
Euclidean geometry; the development of algebra in India, Arabia, and
the West; and calculus. Special emphasis will be placed on some
recurrent themes, e.g., calculation of areas, progressive enlargement
of number systems, changing concepts of rigorous proof.
Besides lectures, part of the course will be devoted to presentations
of selected topics by participants, either in class or in the form of papers.
Research paper due 5/08/06
Email me your topic by 4/10/06
First draft due 4/18/06
Guidelines for the final paper.
Possible topics for final paper.
Examinations
Midterm examination: Tuesday, March 7 in class covering through week 6 and
assignment 7.
The Midterm Review Guide
describes what will be expected on the Midterm Exam.
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 4-7 PM in SERC 211
The Final Review Guide
describes what will be expected on the Final Exam, which
covers the entire semester (Chaps. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,1112
of the text)
Office Hours during May:
Tuesday May 2 5-6 PM
Thursday May 4 5-6 PM
Tuesday May 9 5-6 PM
Wednesday May 10 2-3 PM
Notes from selected lectures
Notes on Indian mathematics and Pell's equation (3/2/06 lecture)
Readings
Week 2
- Read about the Babylonian tablet
Plimpton 322 and the representation of numerals.
- View the Babylonian tablet YBC 7289 to
see how Babylonian mathematics displayed diagrams and numbers, and
read the
discussion .
- Examine the
table of reciprocals compiled from Babylonian sources. The
parent site
contains extensive information and references about Babylonian mathematics.
- Read Chapter 1 in the text.
Week 3
- Translations of Euclid's Elements are available at several
locations.
Joyce's site has commentary and applets illustrating the results.
Read the quick trip through Euclid found on the table of contents
page to get an idea of what the Elements contains.
- Read Chapter 2.1 and 2.2.1 in the text.
Week 4
- Read Chapter 2.2.2-2.2.6 in the text.
Week 5
- Read Chapter 3 in the text.
Week 6
Week 7
- Read Chapter 6 in the text.
Week 8
Week 9
- Read Chapters 8 and 9.1 in the text.
Week 10
- Read Chapters 9.2-9.4 in the text.
Week 11
- Read Chapters 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2 in the text.
Week 12
- Read Chapters 11.4, 11.5 in the text.
Week 13
- Read Chapters 12.1, 12.3, 12.4 in the text.
Assignments
Last updated: May 2006; J. Tunnell