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
- 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.
- 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.
- Read Chapter 2.2.2-2.2.6 in the text.
- Read Chapter 3 in the text.
- Read Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 in the text.
- Read the biography of Pappus.
- Read the biography of Hypatia.
- Read the brief outline of Chinese Mathematics with particular attention to the timeline.
- Read Chapter 6 in the text.
- Read Chapter 7 in the text.
- Read the essay on Islamic mathematics .
- Read Chapters 8 and 9.1 in the text.
- Read Chapters 9.2-9.4 in the text.
- Read Chapters 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2 in the text.
- Read Chapters 11.4, 11.5 in the text.
- Read Chapters 12.1, 12.3, 12.4 in the text.
Assignments
- Assignment 1 due 1/19/06
- Assignment 2 due 1/24/06
- Assignment 3 due 1/31/06 (Note correction of misprints in Problem 1 and Problem 3 statements made 9:15 AM 1/30/06)
- Assignment 4 due 2/7/06
- Assignment 5 due 2/14/06
- Assignment 6 due 2/21/06
- Assignment 7 due 2/28/06
- Assignment 8 due 3/7/06
- Assignment 9 due 3/28/06 for problem 4 refer to 7.18 first
- Assignment 10 due 4/4/06 The book probably meant "add -2bx^2+b^2 to both sides" (see the text page 222) in 9.20
- Assignment 11 due 4/11/06
- Assignment 12 due 4/18/06
- Assignment 13 due 4/25/06
Last updated: May 2006; J. Tunnell