The Amazing Beginnings of Mathematics

Description

How often do you use mathematics in your everyday life? You may set an alarm to wake up at a certain time, you may go for a run for a certain amount of distance, you might use a map powered by GPS coordinates to know how to get somewhere, and you may give yourself a certain amount of time get to your destination on time. We all use mathematics without thinking about it, and that has always been the case since the early human civilisations. Throughout history humans have been capable of sophisticated mathematical thinking to live, strive and survive, and many of the mathematical concepts invented by our early ancestors have evolved and are still used today. Did you know the binary number system used to power our digital technology was first employed in the Indus Valley over 4,000 years ago? Or that navigation systems like GPS use the mathematical concept of degrees that the Babylonians of Mesopotamia first began to use over 3,000 years ago. This book, The Amazing Beginnings of Mathematics explores the earliest origins of mathematics and their connections to the mathematics we use today. Whether you have a deep interest in mathematics and history or are someone who simply wonders, the engaging presentation and activities in this book will help you understand and appreciate the significant role of early civilisations in developing the concepts that underpin modern advances in mathematics. Also important to note that this book explores the non-European beginnings of mathematics - it is rare to find a mathematics history book that explores the contributions of the Aztec and Maya civilisation of Mesoamerica or the Inca of South America which this book does. Often mathematics is seen as confusing, intimidating, or exclusive to 'gifted' individuals. However, the authors Calvin and Robert believe that everyone can do well in mathematics with the right learning approach using interesting materials. This book features over 60 activity pages that have been woven throughout the discussion and designed to be accessible to a wide audience, usually beginning with students in the primary grades. These activities will teach you to multiply like an ancient Egyptian or work out the area of a field just like the Aztecs did!

Authors Calvin Irons and Robert Natanek have spent the past two years researching and writing materials for this book. Calvin's interest in mathematics began as he was growing up on a small farm in rural Iowa, USA. As a kid driving a tractor, Calvin remembers using mathematics to quickly work out the number of haybales stacked on wagons or posts needed to enclose fields. His formal study of the subject began in 1961, and since then Calvin has dedicated his life to writing, teaching, and promoting the good learning techniques that make mathematics interesting and relevant to our everyday lives and the world around us. In the US, Calvin completed multiple mathematics degrees, and while studying for his PhD, he wrote mathematics materials for the National Science Foundation. In 1975 Calvin moved to Brisbane, Australia, to accept a lectureship at the Queensland University of Technology, which he served for nearly 40 years. Calvin taught tens of thousands of students and gained a reputation as an outstanding teacher and speaker. His passion for the good teaching of mathematics saw him travel across Australia and the world to host thousands of professional learning sessions for teachers. Calvin has previously written material for Rigby Education, Mimosa Publications and McGraw-Hill Education. In 1995 he co-founded ORIGO Education, which now has offices in four countries, and for whom he continues to write innovative material. Calvin has also established the Mathema Publishing Trust to produce this book with co-author, Robert Natanek. Robert was born in Brisbane in 1996 and recently completed an arts/law degree at the University of Queensland. During this time, he received well-deserved recognition for his writing and research skills. At the completion of his studies, it was only natural that Robert felt an itch to put those writing skills to good use. Although mathematics was not the expected outlet for those skills, Robert's intellectual curiosity was nonetheless piqued by the realisation that mathematics permeates all parts of culture and life in general. This project was also facilitated in large part by Robert and Calvin's mutual passion for travel. In just 26 short years, Robert has travelled to more than 25 different countries and experienced almost the same number of illuminating cultural perspectives. These experiences, along with Robert's writing skills, were integral in bringing this book, The Amazing Beginnings of Mathematics to life.