The Babylonian Theorem

Peter S. Rudman

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Language: English

Published by Prometheus Books, US, 2010

159102773X / 9781591027737

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A physicist explores the history of mathematics among the Babylonians and Egyptians, showing how their scribes in the era from 2000 to 1600 BCE used visualizations of plane geometric figures to invent geometric algebra, even solving problems that we now do by quadratic algebra. Rudman traces the evolution of mathematics from the metric geometric algebra of Babylon and Egypt-which used numeric quantities on diagrams as a means to work out problems-to the nonmetric geometric algebra of Euclid (ca. 300 BCE). From his analysis of Babylonian geometric algebra, the author formulates a "Babylonian Theorem", which he demonstrates was used to derive the Pythagorean Theorem, about a millennium before its purported discovery by Pythagoras.He also concludes that what enabled the Greek mathematicians to surpass their predecessors was the insertion of alphabetic notation onto geometric figures. Such symbolic notation was natural for users of an alphabetic language, but was impossible for the Babylonians and Egyptians, whose writing systems (cuneiform and hieroglyphics, respectively) were not alphabetic. This is a masterful, fascinating, and entertaining book, which will interest both math enthusiasts and students of history.…

Seller Inventory # LU-9781591027737

Title
The Babylonian Theorem
Author
Peter S. Rudman
Publisher
Prometheus Books, US
Publication year
2010
Condition
New
Binding
Hardback
Language
English
ISBN 10
159102773X
ISBN 13
9781591027737
Item weight
454 grams

Rarewaves USA

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