The Origins of Algebra Are Not What You Think

About the lecture

In this mini-lecture, we consider types of arithmetic used by ancient peoples, focusing in particular on: (i) ancient Egyptian arithmetic, including multiplying by successive addition; (ii) ancient Mesopotamian arithmetic, which used different notation and methods for operations, powers, and fractions than we use today; (iii) how the Hindu-Arabic numerals and methods we use today, actually originate from Muslims in the 8th century BC (the correct name should be Hindu-Muslim arithmetic); (iv) early Greek arithmetic, which we have minimal records on; (v) the ancient Roman abacus (2nd century BC to 5th century AD) and the Chinese abacus; and (vi) how the Romans were not great at arithmetic, which is evident in their Roman numerals which are not conveniently compatible with arithmetic operations.

About the lecturer

Piers Bursill-Hall is a Lecturer in the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (DPMMS) at the University of Cambridge. He has taught undergraduate courses in history of mathematics and most aspects of history of science at Cambridge and elsewhere, including for the Mercantile Library of Cincinnati. His research and teaching has concentrated on history of Ancient, Renaissance, and Enlightenment science, mathematics and mathematical arts, the history of medicine, and more recently on early Islamic mathematics and science.