Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Teaching Math & Science in Age of Sputnik

For Students 9th - 10th
Why did the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik throw the fields of mathematics and science into tremendous demand in the United States? Find the many ways this revolutionary event impacted children from the 1950s to become the...
Website
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

The Math Forum: Famous Problems in the History of Mathematics

For Students 9th - 10th
On this site, there are several math problems to explore and solve. Look through some solutions by famous mathematicians and expand your thinking about some interesting math concepts. Teachers of elementary grades may want to use this...
eBook
Mathigon

Mathigon: Math Foundations: Divisibility and Primes: The Distribution of Primes

For Students 6th - 8th
This lesson focuses on the distribution of large prime numbers. It offers a calculator to check numbers for prime and a calculator that allows you to create prime numbers. It also provides the history of methods find the distribution of...
Activity
University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge: Maths and Sports: Project Ideas: World Records

For Students 9th - 10th
This activity suggests a number of investigative projects, focusing on athletics and swimming, exploring some of the trends between performances in different sports at the same time in history and in the rate of improvement of records...
Graphic
Other

Mayan Math

For Students 9th - 10th
A basic, illustrated description of the math system developed by the Mayans. Includes a paragraph comparing the Mayan system favorably with the Roman numeral system of the same time.
Website
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

The Math Forum: The History of Zero and Place Value

For Students 9th - 10th
This ask Dr. Math question about the history of zero and place value. Includes a very in-depth answer explaining where zero came from and how it was originally used as a place holder.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: History of Set Theory

For Students 9th - 10th
This page, which is provided for by the University of St. Andrews, traces the history of Set Theory as well as the concept of infinity and the infinite set.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: St. Andrews: History of the Four Color Theorem

For Students 9th - 10th
The University of St. Andrews offers a brief history of the first math problem to be solved with computers.
Handout
Rice University

Rice Univ.: Cynthia Lanius: Mathematics of Cartography: History of Mapmaking

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Surveys the history of mapmaking from prehistoric to current times with an illustrated chronology.
Handout
Math Is Fun

Math Is Fun: The Evolution of Numbers

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Discusses what numbers are and how our understanding of them has evolved over thousands of years, from simple counting to negative numbers and irrational numbers, for example. Includes a set of practice questions where students identify...
Handout
Math Open Reference

Math Open Reference: Biography of Euclid

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Euclid, a Greek Mathematician, also known as the 'Father of Geometry'.
Website
Other

Living Math!: Math History and Mathematicians

For Students 9th - 10th
A good starting point for research into the history of Mathematics. Information is organized into time periods with lists of famous mathematicians and scientists.
Article
Texas A&M University

Texas a & M University: The Origins of Greek Mathematics [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the history of Greek mathematics and the major figures and schools of mathematics.
Unit Plan
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

Powerhouse Museum: Gambling (Math and Probability)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The resource consists of activities about mathematics and probability. Students learn about the history of gambling and the risk applied to the lotto, instant scratch-offs, roulette, and poker machines.
Article
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Greek Number Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive discussion of Greek number systems of the first millennium BC, including acrophonic and alphabetical. Includes examples demonstrating the lack of a truly unified system among the Greek islands.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Hypsicles of Alexandria

For Students 9th - 10th
This mathematician is remembered for his work on regular polyhedra. You can find more about the works of Hypsicles and other mathematicians at this site.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Al Karaji

For Students 9th - 10th
This mathematician contributed to many areas of mathematics, but most importantly he developed the formula to multiply exponents.
Unit Plan
Other

Mathedpage.org: Algebra Manipulatives: Comparison and History

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource discusses the use of manipulatives in the study of Algebra. The author sees benefits in symbol manipulation to enrich understanding, in geometric interpretation strengthening the connection to other parts of mathematics,...
Article
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: An Overview of Babylonian Mathematics

For Students 9th - 10th
Information and examples of how the base 60 number system of the Babylonians worked in calculating problems similar to those we face today. Has a section comparing Pythagoras's theorem to Babylonian math.
Website
University at Buffalo

Circle Association: Harlem Renaissance History and Links

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from the Circle Association at the University of Buffalo gives background on the origins of the Harlem Renaissance and highlights its most famous authors.
Handout
Trinity College Dublin

The History of Mathematics: Young

For Students 9th - 10th
A short sketch of the life and work of Thomas Young (1773-1829 CE). Traces early upbringing and education and his scientific discoveries and contributions.
Article
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Egyptian Numerals

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of early Egyptian number systems, including hieroglyphics and hieratic symbols and how they evolved.
Handout
University of Virginia

University of Virginia: Counting in Babylon

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of the number system used by the ancient Babylonians. Examples are provided for various mathematical operations based on the number 60 (our number system is based on the number ten).
Article
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

The Math Forum: Pascal and Fermat Beginnings of Probability

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site describes early applications of probability, the roles of Pascal and Fermat, and the problem of points.

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