History of Math

This is a one-semester course that will provide students with an opportunity to study math from a historical perspective. This course will explore various topics from mathematical history by introducing them to the work of legendary mathematicians and their famous historical problems and puzzles. This is a one-semester class that will earn students ½ credit towards their math requirements.  Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math A1, Math A2, Math A3 and the NYS Mathematics A Regents Examination or the NYS Integrated Algebra curriculum and Regents Examination. 

Note: Some exceptions may be made with both teacher and guidance approval.

Topics covered:

This course will explore various topics from mathematical history including both mathematicians and famous historical problems and puzzles. The topics included, but are not limited to:

· Number systems including Mesopotamian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphics,

and Babylonian number systems

· The Rhind Papyrus and the St. Ives Puzzle

· Archimedes and his inventions

· Zeno’s Paradoxes, including the Dichotomy and the Achilles

· Cantor’s theory of the infinite

· Luo Shu (magic squares)

· Pascal, Pascal’s triangle, and the Chinese equivalent

· Euclid’s Elements and the three Ancient Unsolvable Problems

· The seven Bridges of Konigsberg and Euler’s work with graph theory

· The Four-Color Map Problem

· Development of counting and computing devices and the evolution of computers

Textbook: Agnesi to Zeno – Over 100 Vignettes from the History of Math by Sanderson and Smith