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Description
The development of systems of numerals has inevitably influenced the kind of calculations and mathematics that have emerged in various civilisations. In this programme Professor B.L. van der Waerde...n of Zurich University illustrates the different features of the numeral systems of the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks. Graham Flegg, Reader in Mathematics at the Open University and chairman of the course team introduces the programme and explains the Hindu-Arabic origins of our own number system. Our familiar number system using the symbols 0, 1, 9 to represent any number no matter how large or how small contains three main features. It uses the idea of place value, it is base 10, and it uses 10 different symbols. These three features appear separately in Several ancient civilisations. The Babylonians used the idea of place value, but had only two symbols, the Egyptian and Roman systems were decimal but used no place value ideas, and the Greeks used the 27 letters of their alphabet to represent numbers. After a detailed discussion of these ideas the programme ends by showing that our present day system evolved, in fact, from developments in India and Arabia, and only began to replace the Roman and Greek systems around the 15th century.
The development of systems of numerals has inevitably influenced the kind of calculations and mathematics that have emerged in various civilisations. In this programme Professor B.L. van der Waerde...n of Zurich University illustrates the different features of the numeral systems of the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks. Graham Flegg, Reader in Mathematics at the Open University and chairman of the course team introduces the programme and explains the Hindu-Arabic origins of our own number system. Our familiar number system using the symbols 0, 1, 9 to represent any number no matter how large or how small contains three main features. It uses the idea of place value, it is base 10, and it uses 10 different symbols. These three features appear separately in Several ancient civilisations. The Babylonians used the idea of place value, but had only two symbols, the Egyptian and Roman systems were decimal but used no place value ideas, and the Greeks used the 27 letters of their alphabet to represent numbers. After a detailed discussion of these ideas the programme ends by showing that our present day system evolved, in fact, from developments in India and Arabia, and only began to replace the Roman and Greek systems around the 15th century.
| Module code and title: | AM289, History of mathematics |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AM289; 01 |
| First transmission date: | 22-02-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Jean Nunn |
| Contributors: | Graham Flegg; B. L. van der Waerden |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Babylonian numeral systems; Egyptian numeral systems; Numeral systems; Sumerian numeral system |
| Footage description: | Stills of the night sky (through telescope). Shots of an oscillator signal transmitting numbers by the repetitive principle. Graham Flegg introduces the programme. To demonstrate the advantages of the modern decimal system, a schoolgirl works a multiplication exercise on a sheet of paper. Commentary by Graham Flegg explains the principles behind the system. An animation amplifies his points. B.L. Van der Waerden explains the ancient Sumerian / BabyIonian method of writing numbers and the principles behind the system. He demonstrates number writing with a clay tablet and stylus. Several animations amplify his points. Van der Waerden goes on to explain, briefly, the ancient Egyptian numerical system. Animations illustrate his points. Van der Waerden goes on to discuss the influence of astronomy on mathematics in Egypt, Babylon and Greece. Van der Waerden next explains the Greek numerical system. Animations illustrate his points. Van der Waerden compares the efficiency of the three ancient number systems above by carrying out, on a blackboard, a multiplication exercise using each as well as the modern decimal system. Graham Flegg traces the diffusion of the Hindu-Arabic numerical system to Europe. He explains why it took so long to displace the Roman system in use at the time. Maps, animations, stills of people using counting boards, stills of clocks and sundials, etc. all amplify points made. Flegg points out areas in which ancient numbering systems still survive today. He lists several examples. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71506 |
| Production number: | 00525_3163 |
| Videofinder number: | 730 |
| Available to public: | no |
