Babylonian mathematics

This free course looks at Babylonian mathematics. You will learn how a series of discoveries has enabled historians to decipher stone tablets and study the various techniques the Babylonians used for problem-solving and teaching. The Babylonian problem-solving skills have been described as remarkable and scribes of the time received a training far in advance of anything available in medieval Christian Europe 3000 years later.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Babylonian mathematics
• 1 Babylonian mathematics
• 1.2 A Babylonian mathematical problem
• 1.3 The historical study of cuneiform
• 1.4 A remarkable numeration system
• 1.5 Plimpton 322
• 1.5.1 Uncertain origins
• 1.5.2 What is the significance of the numbers?
• 1.5.3 Errors in Plimpton 322
• 1.6 The social context of Babylonian mathematical activity
• 1.7 Babylonian mathematical style
• Conclusion
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements