Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Slates, Slide Rules and Software
Did you learn to calculate using a 7-foot-long slide rule? Did you learn about the properties of numbers using brightly colored Cuisenaire rods? Ever wonder who invented the graph paper you used in geometry class? Go back to the...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Mathematics of Sidewalk Illusions
Have you ever come across an oddly stretched image on the sidewalk, only to find that it looks remarkably realistic if you stand in exactly the right spot? These sidewalk illusions employ a technique called anamorphosis- a special case...
World History Encyclopedia
World History Encyclopedia: Greek Mathematics
Discusses the major cultural influences on the development of mathematics in ancient Greece, and how the Greeks went on to surpass those cultures. The work of the Pythagoreans and of Euclid are described, along with some famous...
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: An Overview of Egyptian Mathematics
This site presents a detailed overview of Egyptian mathematics, focusing on the arithmetical methods which they devised to work with their numerals.
New York University
Institute for the Study of the Ancient World: Before Pythagoras
Exhibition of cuneiform tablets dating from 1900 B.C. demonstrates the mathematical knowledge of the ancient Mesopotamians.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Mathematics Archive: John Wallis
This page provides an excellent biography of John Wallis, an English clergyman, mathematician, and philosopher. Discusses his childhood, education, travel, studies, and his contributions to the fields of philosophy, language, and...
Other
Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
This is a virtual exhibition of inventions from ancient Greece that have been reconstructed by Kostas Kotsanas after over two decades of study and research. Click on 'The Museum' link at the top of the page to read an explanation and to...
Trinity College Dublin
The History of Mathematics: Roemer
A short biographical sketch of the life and work of Ole Roemer (1652-1719 CE). Identifies his scientific discoveries and contributions in astronomy.
Discovering Egypt
Discovering Egypt: Egyptian Mathematics
A brief explanation of the numbering system of the ancient Egyptians, with great drawings and sample problems. Use this resource to introduce yourself to the symbols ancient Egyptians used in mathematics. There are some activities to...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Mathematics of History
What can mathematics say about history? From changes to language to the deadliness of wars, Jean-Baptiste Michel shows how digitized history is just starting to reveal deep underlying patterns. [4:26]
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Mayan Mathematics
After a historical introduction, this site from the University of St. Andrews provides information about the mathematics of the Maya Civilization and shows just how advanced they were.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Arabic Mathematics: Forgotten Brilliance?
The University of St. Andrews offers a fascinating look at the advances made by Arabic/Islamic mathematicians from about 780 AD to 1450 AD, only more recently being appreciated for their beauty and originality. Includes embedded links to...
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Liu Hui
Today's mathematical proof is based on work by Hui. Read more on Hui's mathematical contributions.
University at Buffalo
A Modern History of Blacks in Mathematics
Biographies of Blacks in mathematics from the 1700s to the present time.
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: F Le Dido and the Foundation of Carthage
According to ancient legend, Dido made a deal with a local ruler to obtain as much land as she could cover with an oxhide. Dido interpreted "cover" in an imaginative way and the land she obtained became the site of the important ancient...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: 6 Sp.2,5d Electoral College
In addition to providing a task that relates to other disciplines (history, civics, current events, etc.), this task is intended to demonstrate that a graph can summarize a distribution as well as provide useful information about...
World History Encyclopedia
World History Encyclopedia: Archimedes
Illustrated entry provides an account of the life of Archimedes, a pioneer in the fields of mathematics and engineering.
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Aristotle
Looks at the life of Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) and the far-reaching scope of his intellectual ideas. The article examines in depth his theories in the disciplines of philosophy, politics, mathematics and science, and his legacy.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Johann Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet
A biography of Dirichlet's personal life and on his mathematical findings, mainly in calculus and number theory.
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College: Rene Descartes (1596 1650)
Events of Rene Descartes' life are presented in a timeline form. The biographical information is taken from "A Short Account of the History of Mathematics" by W. W. Rouse Ball (4th Edition, 1908).
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: History of Mathematics: Abraham De Moivre
This site contains biographical information and works of the mathematician Abraham DeMoivre.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Principles of Natural Philosophy
This site from Fordham University is an exerpt from Newton's famous "Principia."
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Eudoxus of Cnidus
This page provides an excellent biography of Eudoxus of Cnidus, an ancient Greek astronomer and mathematician. Discusses his life, travels, and contributions to the field of mathematics. Includes special links.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Biography of Jacob Bernoulli
The School of Mathematics and Statistics of St. Andrew's University provides biographical information on the mathematical career of Jacob Bernoulli. Included are links to other famous individuals with whom he worked and links to his...
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