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An introduction to major time periods and global cultures that have influenced the evolution of mathematics
With a balanced blend of formal history with anecdotes and legends, The Development of Mathematics Throughout the Centuries: A Brief History in a Cultural Context takes readers on a journey throughout time in an effort to understand the patterns of quantity, structure, and dimensions found in the world. The author explores mathematics using a historical context and emphasizes that no single culture had a monopoly on mathematical advancements; rather, various groups influenced one another and developed simultaneously.
The book begins with the earliest known records of human mathematics in Africa and continues on to ancient Egypt and Babylon. The journey moves into ancient Greece, China and India, and the Islamic world. Next, the mathematics of the pre-Columbian Americas, the dark period of mathematics in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, and the influence of Islamic mathematics on European thinking are presented. The European Renaissance through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries are explored, and the 20th century takes readers through Europe and to North America, which took the lead in mathematics after World War II. Finally, readers are provided with a modern review of mathematics in the 21st century, along with the history of mathematics education and its development in the United States. The book also features:
- Interesting and enjoyable anecdotes and mathematical legends
- Examples of parallels between the historical development of mathematical methods and everyday problem solving
- Major mathematical findings and contributions by significant historical figures
- Highlights and contributions made by various world cultures including African, Egyptian, Babylonian, Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and pre-Columbian American
A useful textbook for undergraduate courses on the history of mathematics, The Development of Mathematics Throughout the Centuries: A Brief History in a Cultural Context is also appropriate for elementary and secondary education majors. Presented in an easy-to-follow style, the book also serves as a resource for readers interested in the development of mathematics as a coherent discipline.
