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The Open University

Babylonian mathematics

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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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.

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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4.7 rating at OpenLearn based on 16 ratings

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