KYAMBOGO UNIVERSTY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH EDUCATON-ECONOMICS OPTION

FACULTY: SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT: MATHEMATICS

COURSE UNIT: HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS

COURSE CODE: SMT 311

YEAR 3 SEMESTER 1

REGISTRATION: 21/U/ESE/09632/PD

NAME: ALECO ELIZABETH

TASK: INDIVIDUAL COURSEWORK

LECTURER’S NAME: DR. KIZA SARAH

QUESTION.

Great/ unknown historical mathematicians and / or records of:

Indian Sulba Sutra, Indian Vedic Mantras (Vedic Maths tricks), Chinese Nine Chapters on
the Mathematical Art, Erastothenes’ sieve, the number zero, the symbol for infinity, the
number pi, the golden ratio, the number e, Fibonacci sequence, the Great Pyramids of
Giza.
Indian sulba sutra.

Indian sulba sutra also known as sulba sultras ancient Indian texts that provide mathematical
techniques for constructing alters and fire pits used in vedic rituals, these texts are a part of the
larger corpus of the shrauta sultras which are ancient Hindu texts dealing with rituals and
ceremonies. The sulba sutras were composed between the 8th century BCE and the 2nd century
CE and are attributed to various ancient Indian scholars which are Baudhayana, Apastamba and
katyayana. These texts contain mathematical rules and procedures for constructing alters with
precise measurements and geometric shapes. The sulba sultras also describe various geometric
constructions such as the construction of the square with an area equal to that of a given circle,
they provide methods for constructing right angles bisecting lines and obtaining various ratios
using ropes and cords. The ancient Indian mathematical texts demonstrate remarkable geometric
and mathematical knowledge, particularly in the field of geometry. They predate the formal
development of the axiomatic systems and deductive proofs that emerged in ancient Greek
mathematics. The sulba sutras show that ancient Indian mathematicians had a deep
understanding of geometric principles and were able to apply them in practical contexts.

Indian Vedic Mantras (Vedic Maths tricks)

Vedic mantras which are ancient hymns and chats found in the Vedas are not directly related to
what is known as Vedic maths tricks. Vedic maths refers to a system of mental maths techniques
that claim to be derived from the ancient Indian scriptures known as the Vedas. The concept of
Vedic maths emerged in the 20th century with the publication of a book titled vedic mathematics
by Bharati Krishna Trintha where they discovered set of ancient mathematical techniques from
the Vedas, these techniques were used to provide efficient methods for performing arithmetic
calculations including multiplication, division, square roots and more. The techniques taught in
Vedic maths books are often based on mental calculation strategies, patterns and short cuts that
can be helpful in performing calculations more quickly, some of these techniques involve
splitting numbers, cross multiplication and algebraic manipulations.

Chinese Lo Shu.

The Chinese Lo Shu, also known as the magic square of the River Lo, is a mathematical concept
with a rich history in Chinese mathematics and culture, The Lo Shu square is a grid of numbers
arranged in a 3×3 square where each cell contains a unique number from 1-9, The arrangement
of numbers in the Lo Shu square has fascinating properties and has been studied and reversed in
various contexts. It became associated with the study of numerology, divination and the five
elements theory which is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy and traditional medicine.
The numbers in the Lo Shu square were believed to correspond to the elements (wood, fire,
earth, metal and water). It influenced the development of Chinese mathematics and had
connections to other mathematical ideas such as numbers theory and geometry.

Chinese Nine chapters on mathematical Art.

The nine chapters on the mathematical Art. (Siuzhang suanshu) is renowned ancient Chinese
mathematical treatise The exact origins and authorship of the nine chapters are not definitely
known but it is believed to have been compiled and edited during the Han Dynasty (202 BCE-
220 CE ) based on earlier mathematical knowledge and practices. The nine chapters on
mathematical Art consists of nine chapters each focusing on different mathematical topics and
problem-solving techniques, the topics covered include basic arithmetic operations, Algebraic
equations, geometry, right angles, surveying and more. The treatise provides practical methods
for solving real world problems and applies mathematical techniques to various fields such as
engineering, commerce and agriculture. One of the notable aspect of nine chapters is its
emphasis on computational methods and practical applications rather than abstract mathematical
theories. The text presents a wide range of computational techniques including algorithms for
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It also introduces methods for solving linear
equations, calculating areas and performing calculations related to taxation, trade, and
measurements.

Erastathenes’ sieve.

Is a well-known ancient algorithm used to find all prime numbers up to a given limit. It is named
after the Greek mathematician Erastathenes of Cyrene who devised the method around the 3rd
century BCE. Erastathenes sieve was a significant development in ancient mathematics
providing a practical and efficient method for generating prime numbers. He also enabled further
explanation of their properties and patterns which has influenced the development of number
theory.

The number zero.

The zero is a fundamental concept in mathematics representing the absence or null quality. Zero
has unique properties and relationships with other numbers such as any number multiplied by
zero equals zero and dividing a number by zero is undefined in standard arithmetic, zero is the
additive identity meaning that adding zero to any number leaves the number unchanged. It is also
the multiplicative identify for the real numbers as any number multiplied by zero yields zero. It
laid the foundation for the algebra, calculus, number theory.

The symbol of infinity.

The symbol of infinity is a mathematical representation that signifies on unbounded or limitless
quantity. The symbol for infinity (∞ ) is derived from the Latin word "infinitas" meaning
"boundlessness" or "endlessness" and was introduced by a mathematician called John Wallis.
Infinity is not considered a number in a usual sense, it us more of a concept or an idealized
notion used to describe the behavior of certain mathematical objects and operations. It is often
used in calculus, analysis and set theory.

The number Pi (π)

Is a mathematical concept that represents the ratio of circles circumference or its diameter. It is
an irrational number meaning it cannot be expressed as a finite fraction or recurring decimal. The
values of π is approximately 3.14 but it extends infinitely without repeating. The symbol π is
used to represent this constant and comes from Greek word periphery, pi has numerous
applications in mathematics such as geometry, trigonometry, calculus and more it appears in
various formulas and equations including the area of a circle (A=π r 2) and the circumference of a
circle (2πr).

The golden ratio.

The golden ratio often denoted by the Greek letter Ϙ (phi) is a mathematical constant that
represent a special proportion found in nature, art and architecture. The value of golden ratio is
approximately 1.6180339887 but like pi it extends infinitely without repeating. It is derived
from the ratio of two quantities such that the ratio of the sum of the two quantities to the larger
quantity is equal to the ratio of larger quantities to smaller quantity. The golden ratio found its
way into modern mathematics and is studied in fields such as number theory, geometry, and
algebra.

The number e.

Is often referred to as Euler's number and was discovered and introduced by the Swiss
mathematician Leonard Euler in 18th century. The precise value of e is approximately 2.71828
but like pi is an irrational number that extends infinitely without repeating. The number e is
infinitely connected to exponential functions and Logarithms, it is the base of the natural
logarithm In (×) and is related to the growth and decay of quantities in various mathematical
models. The number e arises in numerous areas of mathematics which include calculus complex
analysis, probability theory, and differential equations. It plays fundamental roles in these
branches and serves as cornerstone for many mathematical theorems and formulas e (iπ)+1=0
which elegantly relates the five most important mathematical constants

Fibonacci sequence.

First introduced to the western world by the Italian mathematician Leonard of Pisa also known as
Fibonacci in his book" Liber Abaci" published in 1202. The Fibonacci sequence exhibits a
unique pattern where the ratio between consecutive terms approaches the golden ratio
approximately 1.6180339887) as the sequence progresses. This connection between the
Fibonacci and golden ratio adds to its mathematical significance. Mathematicians and scientists
have explored the properties and applications of the Fibonacci sequence in diverse areas
including number theory, combinatories, geometry, fractals, and algorithms. The Fibonacci
sequence also exhibits interesting patterns and relationships when represented visually. Drawing
squares with side lengths corresponding to Fibonacci numbers and connecting them with areas
creates a spiral known as the Fibonacci spirals which appear in nature in form of spiral shells,
flower petals and more.

The great pyramid of Giza.

Are iconic structures located on the outskirts of modern day Cairo Egypt. The great pyramid of
Giza were built during the old kingdom period of ancient Egypt, specifically in the 26th century
BCE. The three main pyramids at Giza were constructed as tombs for the pharaohs Khufu
(Cheops), Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure. The precise construction methods used to build the
pyramids are not fully known but however, it is believed that the construction of the pyramid
inverted significant mathematical knowledge and precise calculations. One of the concepts that
were being applied is geometry, the pyramids exhibited geometric properties such as their shape
( four sided triangular prisms) and the precise alignment with the cardinal directions. The
builders of pyramids likely used simple geometric principles such as the Pythagorean theorems
to ensure the accuracy of the pyramids, angles and dimensions.
REFERENCES.

Cajori, Florian (1929). “signs for infinity and transfinity numbers”. A history of mathematical
Notations, Volume 11: Notations.

Wallis, John (1655). “Pars Prima”. De sectionibus Conicis, nova Methodo Expositis, Tractatus
(in Latin).app.

Knott, Ron, Fibonacci’s Rabbits, university of surrey Faculty of Engineering and Physical
Sciences.

Beutelspacher, Albrecht; Petri, Bernhard (1996), “Fibonacci-Zahlen”, Der Goldene Schnitt,

Vieweg+teubner Verlag, pp.87-98