History of Math and Technology
A blog covering the history of STEM and how we got to where we are.
The Ishango Bone: A Prehistoric Mathematical Marvel The Ishango Bone is one of the earliest known artifacts that suggest humanity’s ancient understanding of numbers, counting, and possibly even basic arithmetic. Unearthed in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, this prehistoric artifact dates back to around 18,000 to 20,000 years ago and provides an …
The History of Sine and Cosine Functions Sine and cosine functions are fundamental to trigonometry, a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between angles and sides of triangles. These two functions are not only key to solving geometric problems but also play a vital role in many areas of science, including physics, engineering, …
The Scytale: An Ancient Encryption Device Cryptography, the art of securing communication, has a long and fascinating history. From ancient methods used to protect military secrets to modern-day encryption algorithms safeguarding digital data, cryptography has been integral to human society. One of the earliest known encryption devices is the scytale, a tool used by the …
Conic Sections: A Journey Through History Conic sections are among the most important and enduring concepts in mathematics, with applications spanning from geometry and physics to astronomy and engineering. These shapes, which include circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas, arise from the intersection of a plane and a double-napped cone. The development of the theory of …
The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus is an ancient Egyptian document, dating back to around 1550 BCE, that provides a detailed insight into the mathematics practiced by the Egyptians. Named after Alexander Henry Rhind, the Scottish antiquarian who purchased it in 1858, the papyrus is a scroll over 5 meters long and contains 84 mathematical problems and …
The History and Mystery of Pi: From Ancient Babylon to Modern Mathematics Pi, denoted by the Greek letter π, is perhaps one of the most famous and intriguing mathematical constants. Defined as the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, pi is an irrational number, meaning it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction …
An Ancient Approach to Mathematics The Babylonian civilization, which thrived in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) from around 1894 BCE to 539 BCE, made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. One of their most enduring legacies is the Babylonian number system, a positional system that served as the foundation for later numerical systems, including our modern …
Parametric equations are a fundamental tool in mathematics that describe the motion of objects and the behavior of systems in a way that’s both elegant and powerful. The history of parametric equations is a story of mathematical innovation, driven by the quest to describe complex phenomena in a simpler, more systematic manner. Let’s delve into …
Zero: A Void Transformed into a Mathematical Powerhouse In the vast landscape of mathematics, one tiny symbol stands as a silent revolution — the number zero. Its journey from a placeholder to a fundamental concept in mathematics is a fascinating tale that spans cultures, centuries, and mathematical revolutions. Early Absence and Placeholder Beginnings In ancient …
In the annals of mathematical methodology, the method of exhaustion stands as an intellectual precursor to the concept of limits, laying the groundwork for the rigorous calculus that would later unfold. This historical journey takes us back to ancient Greece, where mathematicians grappled with the challenge of capturing the infinite within the confines of the …