The Development of Mathematics in Ancient Babylonia Slide 10: Clay Tablets and Texts
Significance of clay tablets in revealing mathematical
Slide 1: Title Slide sophistication
Title: The Development of Mathematics in Ancient Babylonia Example: YBC 7289 and problem-solving techniques
Subtitle: An Overview of Numeration, Techniques, and
Legacy
Slide 11: Legacy and Influence
Slide 2: Background Impact on Greek mathematics and later cultures
Brief overview of Babylonian civilization Continued relevance of the sexagesimal system in modern
Importance of mathematics in trade, astronomy, and daily contexts
life
Slide 3: Timeline Slide 12: Conclusion
Circa 3500 BCE: Emergence of Sumerians Summary of Babylonian mathematical advancements
Circa 2000 BCE: Flourishing of Babylonian civilization Lasting significance in various fields and modern
Circa 1800 BCE: Development of cuneiform for mathematics mathematics
Circa 1600 BCE: Creation of notable mathematical tablets
(e.g., YBC 7289) DISCUSSION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF
Circa 500 BCE: Influence on Greek mathematicians MATHEMATICS IN ANCIENT BABYLONIA
Slide 4: Notable Figures Background
Mention of key contributors:
Algie of Babylon (referenced in later texts) The ancient Babylonian civilization thrived in Mesopotamia,
Collective contributions of Babylonian mathematicians particularly in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates
Astronomers behind the "Enuma Anu Enlil" rivers. This area, known as the "Cradle of Civilization," was
home to some of the earliest known societies, including the
Slide 5: Evolution of Numeration Systems Sumerians. By around 2000 BCE, the Babylonians had
Base-60 System: Explanation and significance emerged as a dominant culture, contributing significantly to
Positional Notation: How it enabled large number various fields, especially mathematics.
representation
The term "Cradle of Civilization" refers to regions where
Slide 6: Symbols and Notations early human societies developed significant cultural,
Cuneiform Script: Description of wedge-shaped marks agricultural, and technological advancements.
Combination of Symbols: How complex numbers were
formed Timeline
Placeholders: Early understanding of zero
Circa 3500 BCE: Emergence of the Sumerians, who
Slide 7: Mathematical Operations introduced early writing and numerical systems.
Addition and Subtraction: Basic methods used
Multiplication: Techniques including repeated addition Circa 2000 BCE: Babylonian civilization begins to flourish,
Division: Approaches used to simplify division problems inheriting and expanding upon Sumerian mathematical
knowledge.
Slide 8: Algebraic Techniques
Description of solving linear and quadratic equations Circa 1800 BCE: Development of cuneiform script for record-
Use of systematic methods and tables for calculations keeping and calculations.
Slide 9: Astronomical Mathematics Circa 1600 BCE: The famous tablet YBC 7289 is created,
Overview of contributions to astronomy showcasing advanced mathematical techniques.
Importance of mathematics in calendar creation and celestial
predictions Circa 500 BCE: Babylonian mathematics influences Greek
mathematicians, contributing to the broader development of
mathematics in the ancient world.
3. Mathematical Operations
Notable Figures
Babylonian mathematics included several key operations:
While specific individual mathematicians from Babylon are
less documented than in later cultures, several figures and Addition and Subtraction: Basic operations were performed
texts stand out: by stacking symbols or removing them accordingly.
Algie of Babylon: A prominent mathematician referenced in Multiplication: Often done through repeated addition or using
later texts, known for his contributions to algebra and multiplication tables. They would break down larger numbers
problem-solving techniques. into smaller, manageable parts.
The Babylonians (General): Though individual names are Division: Similar to multiplication, often involving finding how
scarce, the collective contributions of Babylonian many times a number could be subtracted from another.
mathematicians were foundational, particularly in arithmetic,
geometry, and astronomy.
4. Algebraic Techniques
The Astronomers: Babylonian astronomers like those who
created the "Enuma Anu Enlil" (a collection of celestial Babylonians demonstrated an advanced understanding of
omens) contributed significantly to mathematical astronomy. algebra, solving linear and quadratic equations using
systematic methods and tables for calculations.
Evolution of Numeration Systems 5. Astronomical Mathematics
The Babylonian numeration system evolved from earlier Babylonians excelled in astronomy, employing mathematical
Sumerian practices and featured several key characteristics: operations to create calendars and predict celestial events.
Their observations were crucial for agriculture and
Base-60 System: The Babylonians adopted a sexagesimal navigation.
(base-60) system, facilitating complex calculations and
divisions into smaller units (e.g., 60 minutes in an hour). 6. Clay Tablets and Texts
Positional Notation: This system enabled the representation The discovery of clay tablets reveals their mathematical
of large numbers effectively, with the value of a digit sophistication. Tablets like YBC 7289 demonstrate
depending on its position. techniques for solving problems, including square roots and
area calculations.
2. Symbols and Notations 7. Legacy and Influence
The Babylonians used a unique set of symbols to denote Babylonian mathematical contributions significantly
numbers and perform calculations: influenced Greek mathematicians and later cultures. Their
sexagesimal system persists in modern timekeeping and
Cuneiform Script: This involved wedge-shaped marks on geometry, illustrating the lasting impact of Babylonian
clay tablets. Different symbols represented various values, mathematics on contemporary society.
with specific signs for 1, 10, and 60.
Conclusion
Combination of Symbols: They expressed complex numbers
by combining symbols, allowing for a wide range of In summary, the development of mathematics in ancient
numerical representations. Babylonia was pivotal in shaping various fields. Their
evolution of the numeration system, unique symbols,
Placeholders: Used to indicate zero values in a positional notations, and mathematical operations played a crucial role
context, reflecting an early understanding of zero as a in their advancements, which continue to resonate in modern
concept. mathematics and sciences.
