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.
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
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Slates, Slide Rules and Software

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: The Magic of Vedic Math

For Students 9th - 10th
There is more than one way to reach a correct answer in mathematics. Vedic math, an ancient Indian method, sidesteps traditional computations in a manner that provides a shortcut, while being fun to use and to learn. Gaurav Tekriwal...
Website
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Isaac Newton

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Fordham University links to excerpts of Newton's major works. Please scroll down to find the section on Newton titled "The Creation of Classical Physics." You will be able to actually read some of Newton's work! Read...
Activity
Wolfram Research

Wolfram Math World: History and Terminology Topics

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Biographies of famous mathematicians, the history of math, math notation, and mathematical terminology are several of the topics explored by MathWorld. Each link takes the user to a site with extensive information, detailed sketches, and...
Primary
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: A Visit to James Clerk Maxwell's House

For Students 9th - 10th
From the MacTutor History of Mathematics website, this page allows students to see the Edinburgh home of the 19th century Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Emmy Amalie Noether

For Students 9th - 10th
The School of Mathematics and Statistics of St. Andrew's University provides biographical information on the mathematical career of Emmy Noether. Included are links to other famous individuals with whom she worked and links to her topics...
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Biography of Thomas Muir

For Students 9th - 10th
The School of Mathematics and Statistics of St. Andrew's University provides biographical information on the mathematical career of Thomas Muir. Included are links to other famous individuals with whom he worked and links to his topics...
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Biography of Jacob Bernoulli

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Eudoxus of Cnidus

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Other

History of Islamic Science 3: The Time of Al Razi

For Students 9th - 10th
In-depth look at Islamic society during the time of al-Razi. Discusses "Arabic Mathematics and Astronomy," "Muslim Alchemy and Physics," "Muslim Medicine," and several well-known individuals such as al-Mahani, inb Yusuf, al-Nairizi, ibn...
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Illustrative Mathematics: F Le Dido and the Foundation of Carthage

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
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
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Timeline of Mathematics

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia gives a timeline of all of the important mathematical accomplishments from 2400 BC to 2002. Most names and concepts are linked to further information specific to that person or idea.
Handout
World History Encyclopedia

World History Encyclopedia: Greek Mathematics

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Activity
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: A History of Pi

For Students 9th - 10th
From a historical view, the authors give a very descriptive timeline of pi.
Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Albert Girard

For Students 9th - 10th
In trigonometry today, we use the abbreviations sin, cosine and tan. Girard was the first mathematician to use these abbreviations in his work.
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...
Article
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Arabic Mathematics: Forgotten Brilliance?

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Other

Ancient Greek Philosophy: Zeno of Elea

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the little that is known of Zeno of Elea's life. Also discusses his denial of motion and plurality hypothesis. He explained his ideas using paradoxes that continue to challenge intellectual minds today, and that have had a big...
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Father of Calculus Newton or Leibniz?

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the continuing debate over who was the founder of calculus, Sir Isaac Newton or Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz.
Handout
Stanford University

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Aristotle

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Other

Museum of Ancient Greek Technology

For Students 9th - 10th
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...