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Babylonian mathematics

The Open University via OpenLearn

Description

This free course looks at Babylonian mathematics. You will learn how a series of discoveries has enabled historians to decipher stone tablets and study the various techniques the Babylonians used for problem-solving and teaching. The Babylonian problem-solving skills have been described as remarkable and scribes of the time received a training far in advance of anything available in medieval Christian Europe 3000 years later.

Tags
Economics

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Babylonian mathematics
  • 1 Babylonian mathematics
  • 1.2 A Babylonian mathematical problem
  • 1.3 The historical study of cuneiform
  • 1.4 A remarkable numeration system
  • 1.5 Plimpton 322
  • 1.5.1 Uncertain origins
  • 1.5.2 What is the significance of the numbers?
  • 1.5.3 Errors in Plimpton 322
  • 1.6 The social context of Babylonian mathematical activity
  • 1.7 Babylonian mathematical style
  • Conclusion
  • Further reading
  • Acknowledgements

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Online Courses
OpenLearn

Babylonian mathematics

The Open University
Start Learning Find study partner
Affiliate notice

  • Type
    Online Courses
  • Provider
    OpenLearn

This free course looks at Babylonian mathematics. You will learn how a series of discoveries has enabled historians to decipher stone tablets and study the various techniques the Babylonians used for problem-solving and teaching. The Babylonian problem-solving skills have been described as remarkable and scribes of the time received a training far in advance of anything available in medieval Christian Europe 3000 years later.

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Babylonian mathematics
  • 1 Babylonian mathematics
  • 1.2 A Babylonian mathematical problem
  • 1.3 The historical study of cuneiform
  • 1.4 A remarkable numeration system
  • 1.5 Plimpton 322
  • 1.5.1 Uncertain origins
  • 1.5.2 What is the significance of the numbers?
  • 1.5.3 Errors in Plimpton 322
  • 1.6 The social context of Babylonian mathematical activity
  • 1.7 Babylonian mathematical style
  • Conclusion
  • Further reading
  • Acknowledgements

Tags

Economics

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