Archimedes (~250BCE) (~250BCE) Computed the Ideas of Calculus Perimeter of a Regular BD : CD = BA : AC
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Squaring the Circle a Case Study in the History of Mathematics the Problem
Squaring the Circle A Case Study in the History of Mathematics The Problem Using only a compass and straightedge, construct for any given circle, a square with the same area as the circle. The general problem of constructing a square with the same area as a given figure is known as the Quadrature of that figure. So, we seek a quadrature of the circle. The Answer It has been known since 1822 that the quadrature of a circle with straightedge and compass is impossible. Notes: First of all we are not saying that a square of equal area does not exist. If the circle has area A, then a square with side √A clearly has the same area. Secondly, we are not saying that a quadrature of a circle is impossible, since it is possible, but not under the restriction of using only a straightedge and compass. Precursors It has been written, in many places, that the quadrature problem appears in one of the earliest extant mathematical sources, the Rhind Papyrus (~ 1650 B.C.). This is not really an accurate statement. If one means by the “quadrature of the circle” simply a quadrature by any means, then one is just asking for the determination of the area of a circle. This problem does appear in the Rhind Papyrus, but I consider it as just a precursor to the construction problem we are examining. The Rhind Papyrus The papyrus was found in Thebes (Luxor) in the ruins of a small building near the Ramesseum.1 It was purchased in 1858 in Egypt by the Scottish Egyptologist A. -
Unaccountable Numbers
Unaccountable Numbers Fabio Acerbi In memoriam Alessandro Lami, a tempi migliori HE AIM of this article is to discuss and amend one of the most intriguing loci corrupti of the Greek mathematical T corpus: the definition of the “unknown” in Diophantus’ Arithmetica. To do so, I first expound in detail the peculiar ter- minology that Diophantus employs in his treatise, as well as the notation associated with it (section 1). Sections 2 and 3 present the textual problem and discuss past attempts to deal with it; special attention will be paid to a paraphrase contained in a let- ter of Michael Psellus. The emendation I propose (section 4) is shown to be supported by a crucial, and hitherto unnoticed, piece of manuscript evidence and by the meaning and usage in non-mathematical writings of an adjective that in Greek math- ematical treatises other than the Arithmetica is a sharply-defined technical term: ἄλογος. Section 5 offers some complements on the Diophantine sign for the “unknown.” 1. Denominations, signs, and abbreviations of mathematical objects in the Arithmetica Diophantus’ Arithmetica is a collection of arithmetical prob- lems:1 to find numbers which satisfy the specific constraints that 1 “Arithmetic” is the ancient denomination of our “number theory.” The discipline explaining how to calculate with particular, possibly non-integer, numbers was called in Late Antiquity “logistic”; the first explicit statement of this separation is found in the sixth-century Neoplatonic philosopher and mathematical commentator Eutocius (In sph. cyl. 2.4, in Archimedis opera III 120.28–30 Heiberg): according to him, dividing the unit does not pertain to arithmetic but to logistic. -
15 Famous Greek Mathematicians and Their Contributions 1. Euclid
15 Famous Greek Mathematicians and Their Contributions 1. Euclid He was also known as Euclid of Alexandria and referred as the father of geometry deduced the Euclidean geometry. The name has it all, which in Greek means “renowned, glorious”. He worked his entire life in the field of mathematics and made revolutionary contributions to geometry. 2. Pythagoras The famous ‘Pythagoras theorem’, yes the same one we have struggled through in our childhood during our challenging math classes. This genius achieved in his contributions in mathematics and become the father of the theorem of Pythagoras. Born is Samos, Greece and fled off to Egypt and maybe India. This great mathematician is most prominently known for, what else but, for his Pythagoras theorem. 3. Archimedes Archimedes is yet another great talent from the land of the Greek. He thrived for gaining knowledge in mathematical education and made various contributions. He is best known for antiquity and the invention of compound pulleys and screw pump. 4. Thales of Miletus He was the first individual to whom a mathematical discovery was attributed. He’s best known for his work in calculating the heights of pyramids and the distance of the ships from the shore using geometry. 5. Aristotle Aristotle had a diverse knowledge over various areas including mathematics, geology, physics, metaphysics, biology, medicine and psychology. He was a pupil of Plato therefore it’s not a surprise that he had a vast knowledge and made contributions towards Platonism. Tutored Alexander the Great and established a library which aided in the production of hundreds of books. -
Fiboquadratic Sequences and Extensions of the Cassini Identity Raised from the Study of Rithmomachia
Fiboquadratic sequences and extensions of the Cassini identity raised from the study of rithmomachia Tom´asGuardia∗ Douglas Jim´enezy October 17, 2018 To David Eugene Smith, in memoriam. Mathematics Subject Classification: 01A20, 01A35, 11B39 and 97A20. Keywords: pythagoreanism, golden ratio, Boethius, Nicomachus, De Arithmetica, fiboquadratic sequences, Cassini's identity and rithmomachia. Abstract In this paper, we introduce fiboquadratic sequences as a consequence of an extension to infinity of the board of rithmomachia. Fiboquadratic sequences approach the golden ratio and provide extensions of Cassini's Identity. 1 Introduction Pythagoreanism was a philosophical tradition, that left a deep influence over the Greek mathematical thought. Its path can be traced until the Middle Ages, and even to present. Among medieval scholars, which expanded the practice of the pythagoreanism, we find Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (480-524 A.D.) whom by a free translation of De Institutione Arithmetica by Nicomachus of Gerasa, preserved the pythagorean teaching inside the first universities. In fact, Boethius' book became the guide of study for excellence during quadriv- ium teaching, almost for 1000 years. The learning of arithmetic during the arXiv:1509.03177v3 [math.HO] 22 Nov 2016 quadrivium, made necessary the practice of calculation and handling of basic mathematical operations. Surely, with the mixing of leisure with this exercise, Boethius' followers thought up a strategy game in which, besides the training of mind calculation, it was used to preserve pythagorean traditions coming from the Greeks and medieval philosophers. Maybe this was the origin of the philoso- phers' game or rithmomachia. Rithmomachia (RM, henceforward) became the ∗Department of Mathematics. -
Hypatia of Alexandria A. W. Richeson National Mathematics Magazine
Hypatia of Alexandria A. W. Richeson National Mathematics Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2. (Nov., 1940), pp. 74-82. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=1539-5588%28194011%2915%3A2%3C74%3AHOA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-I National Mathematics Magazine is currently published by Mathematical Association of America. Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/about/terms.html. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www.jstor.org/journals/maa.html. Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. The JSTOR Archive is a trusted digital repository providing for long-term preservation and access to leading academic journals and scholarly literature from around the world. The Archive is supported by libraries, scholarly societies, publishers, and foundations. It is an initiative of JSTOR, a not-for-profit organization with a mission to help the scholarly community take advantage of advances in technology. For more information regarding JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. http://www.jstor.org Sun Nov 18 09:31:52 2007 Hgmdnism &,d History of Mdtbenzdtics Edited by G. -
Theon of Alexandria and Hypatia
CREATIVE MATH. 12 (2003), 111 - 115 Theon of Alexandria and Hypatia Michael Lambrou Abstract. In this paper we present the story of the most famous ancient female math- ematician, Hypatia, and her father Theon of Alexandria. The mathematician and philosopher Hypatia flourished in Alexandria from the second part of the 4th century until her violent death incurred by a mob in 415. She was the daughter of Theon of Alexandria, a math- ematician and astronomer, who flourished in Alexandria during the second part of the fourth century. Information on Theon’s life is only brief, coming mainly from a note in the Suda (Suida’s Lexicon, written about 1000 AD) stating that he lived in Alexandria in the times of Theodosius I (who reigned AD 379-395) and taught at the Museum. He is, in fact, the Museum’s last attested member. Descriptions of two eclipses he observed in Alexandria included in his commentary to Ptolemy’s Mathematical Syntaxis (Almagest) and elsewhere have been dated as the eclipses that occurred in AD 364, which is consistent with Suda. Although originality in Theon’s works cannot be claimed, he was certainly immensely influential in the preservation, dissemination and editing of clas- sic texts of previous generations. Indeed, with the exception of Vaticanus Graecus 190 all surviving Greek manuscripts of Euclid’s Elements stem from Theon’s edition. A comparison to Vaticanus Graecus 190 reveals that Theon did not actually change the mathematical content of the Elements except in minor points, but rather re-wrote it in Koini and in a form more suitable for the students he taught (some manuscripts refer to Theon’s sinousiai). -
Hypatia of Alexandria
Hypathia of Alexandria Doina Ionescu Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, E–mail: [email protected] Introduction - Born in 350-355/370; - Lived and learned in Alexandria, Roman Egypt; - The daughter of Theon, the last director of the Museum of Alexandria; - Trained by her father in physical education, mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, arts, literature, the principles of teaching, oratory; - Died in 415, killed by a Christian mob who blamed her for religious turmoil. The Musaeum of Alexandria - Founded in the 3rd century BCE by Ptolemy I Soter or his son Ptolemy II; - Comprised gardens, a room for shared dining, a reading room, lecture halls, meetings rooms and a library; - The Library of Alexandria: an acquisitions department and a cataloguing department; - The Mouseion (“The House of the Muses”) – an institution that brought together the best scholars of the Hellenistic world, a university; - Destruction of the Mouseion and Library of Alexandria: 1. Julius Caesar’s Fire in the Alexandrian War, 48 BC; 2. The attack of Aurelian in the 3rd century AD; 3. The decree of Theophilus in AD 391; 4. The Muslim conquest in AD 642 and thereafter. Theon (b: 335 – d. early 5th century) - Most of the references on him and on Hypathia : Suda, the 10th century Byzantine encyclopedia; - Highly educated scholar, mathematician and astronomer; - A member and possibly the last director of the Alexandrian Museion, on public payroll. - Devoted his scholarship to the study of his predecessors Euclid and Ptolemy; his recensions were designed for students; - Euclid’s Elements; - Thirteen books of Ptolemy’ Almagest ; Handy Tables : The Great Commentary, in five books, and The Little Commentary , in one; - He worked together with scholar and student associates and with his daughter, Hypathia - A treatise “On the Small Astrolabe” ; - On Signs and the examination of Birds and the Croaking of Ravens: two essays on the function of the star Syrius and the influence of the planetary spheres on the Nile; - 364 AD: predicted eclipses of the Sun and Moon in Alexandria. -
Did Hypatia Know About Negative Numbers?
Did Hypatia Know about Negative Numbers? Hypatia lived in Alexandria in the 4th-5th century AD. She was one of the most remarkable women in history. Her father Theon, presumably the last member of the Museum, instructed her in mathematics, philosophy and clas- sical Greek literature. With time she herself became a brilliant teacher of Neoplatonic philosophy and mathematics. Numerous young aspirants from wealthy Christian and pagan families came to Alexandria with the sole pur- pose of joining the sophisticated inner circle of her students. Theon and Hyptia edited several of the major mathematical treatises avail- able in their time: Arithmetica by Diophantus, Almagest by Ptolemy, Conics by Appolonius of Perga, and Elements by Euclid. A significant part of this work, in particular on the most difficult and demanding Arithmetica, she did alone. To some of these treatises she added commentaries and exemplary exercises. A charismatic figure in the city’s intellectual life and a close friend to many important officials, Hypatia had a significant influence on the Alexandrian elite and politics. She was admired for her knowledge, wisdom, righteousness and personal charm. Her public lectures for the Alexandrian intelligentsia attracted a great deal of interest. However, her elevated social position and popularity did not prevent her from becoming the victim of a brutal murder in 415 AD by the fanatic mob who accused her of conducting forbidden magical practices. Groundless rumors about Hypatia’s dealings with witchcraft were most likely inspired by her political enemies. Bishop Cyril was certainly one of them, but the allegations concerning his direct involvement have never been proven. -
The Method of Exhaustion
The method of exhaustion The method of exhaustion is a technique that the classical Greek mathematicians used to prove results that would now be dealt with by means of limits. It amounts to an early form of integral calculus. Almost all of Book XII of Euclid’s Elements is concerned with this technique, among other things to the area of circles, the volumes of tetrahedra, and the areas of spheres. I will look at the areas of circles, but start with Archimedes instead of Euclid. 1. Archimedes’ formula for the area of a circle We say that the area of a circle of radius r is πr2, but as I have said the Greeks didn’t have available to them the concept of a real number other than fractions, so this is not the way they would say it. Instead, almost all statements about area in Euclid, for example, is to say that one area is equal to another. For example, Euclid says that the area of two parallelograms of equal height and base is the same, rather than say that area is equal to the product of base and height. The way Archimedes formulated his Proposition about the area of a circle is that it is equal to the area of a triangle whose height is equal to it radius and whose base is equal to its circumference: (1/2)(r · 2πr) = πr2. There is something subtle here—this is essentially the first reference in Greek mathematics to the length of a curve, as opposed to the length of a polygon. -
A Vector Approach to Ptolemy's Theorem a Vector Approach To
386 MATHEMATICSMAGAZINE In the revolutionof a graphy = f(xl) aboutthe y-axis, we let F(l X2, X3) = f (x + X2 + X) . Using sphericalcoordinates the integralbecomes I jlv/1 + (f/(p))2 p2 sin 0 dpdqds= 47rp2 + ( (p))2p dO O a a Formula(4) follows. For revolution aboutthe x-axis, the surface y2 + y2 + y2 = f2(X) can be parame- terizedusing sphericalcoordinates as x = t, Y = f(t) sin cos , Y2 = f(t) sin sin0, 3 = f(t) cos for a < t < b, 0 < 0 < r, 0 < 0 < 2r. Formula(4) follows aftera straightforward calculationof the determinantin (5). Epilogue Now thatwe have extendedthe resultsto fourdimensions, we mightcon- sider extendingthem furtherto n dimensions.In fact, in higherdimensions there are otherways to revolvegraphs about axes. For example,in four dimensionswe could considerthe doublerotation, where the graphis firstrevolved about the y-axis in three dimensionsand thenthe resultingsurface is revolvedabout the x-axis in four dimen- sions. REFERENCES 1. E. A. Abbott,Flatland, Harperand Row Publishers,NY, 1983. 2. D. Davis, TheNature and Power of Mathematics,Princeton University Press, Princeton,NJ, 1993. 3. J. H. Hubbardand B. B. Hubbard,Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Forms, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,NJ, 1999. 4. G. J. Porter,k-volume in ln and the GeneralizedPythagorean Theorem, Amer. Math. Monthly 103 (1996), 252-256. A VectorApproach to Ptolemy'sTheorem ERWIN JUST NORMAN SCHAUMBERGER Bronx Community College of the City University of New York Bronx, NY 10453 [email protected] Ptolemy'sTheorem [1] statesthat the productof the diagonalsof a cyclic quadrilateral (a quadrilateralthat can be inscribedin a circle) is equalto the sum of the productsof its oppositesides. -
Two Applications of the Generalized Ptolemy Theorem
Two Applications of the Generalized Ptolemy Theorem Shay Gueron 1. INTRODUCTION. The classical theorem of Ptolemy (used for computations by Claudius Ptolemaeus of Alexandria, 2nd century AD, but probably known even be- fore him [7, pp. 123-1241) states that if A, B, C, D are, in this order, four points on the circle 0, then IABI x lCDI + lADl x lBCl = lACl x IBDl. This result in- cludes Pythagoras' Theorem when applied to a rectangle, and yields other important trigonometric identities when applied to special cyclic quadrilaterals A BCD. For ex- ample, if the diagonal AC is a diameter, lACl = 1, iDAC = a, and iBAC = P, then Ptolemy's Theorem gives sin(a + P) = sin a cos /3 + sin /3 cos a. In a more gen- eral context, Ptolemy's Theorem is the inequality lABl x lCDl + lADl x I BCI > lACl x I BDI, where equality occurs if and only if A, B, C, D lie (in this order) on a circle or on a line. This formulation of the theorem can be viewed as the "image under inversion7' of the triangle inequality [ll, p. 891. Ptolemy's Theorem can be generalized to the situation where the points A, B, C, D are replaced by four circles that touch 0. Our goal is to show how the Generalized Ptolemy Theorem can be used to prove two results in plane geometry. The first result, Theorem 1, is a generalization of a theorem that was originally pro- posed in 1938, as a MONTHLYproblem, by the French geometer Victor ThCbault [15]. -
Medieval Mathematics
Medieval Mathematics The medieval period in Europe, which spanned the centuries from about 400 to almost 1400, was largely an intellectually barren age, but there was significant scholarly activity elsewhere in the world. We would like to examine the contributions of five civilizations to mathematics during this time, four of which are China, India, Arabia, and the Byzantine Empire. Beginning about the year 800 and especially in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the fifth, Western Europe, also made advances that helped to prepare the way for the mathematics of the future. Let us start with China, which began with the Shang dynasty in approximately 1,600 B. C. Archaeological evidence indicates that long before the medieval period, the Chinese had the idea of a positional decimal number system, including symbols for the digits one through nine. Eventually a dot may have been used to represent the absence of a value, but only during the twelfth century A. D. was the system completed by introducing a symbol for zero and treating it as a number. Other features of the Shang period included the use of decimal fractions, a hint of the binary number system, and the oldest known example of a magic square. The most significant book in ancient Chinese mathematical history is entitled The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. It represents the contributions of numerous authors across several centuries and was originally compiled as a single work about 300 B. C. at the same time that Euclid was writing the Elements. However, in 213 B. C., a new emperor ordered the burning of all books written prior to his assumption of power eight years earlier.