And here's another book I’ve just finished, for anyone who has studied (or is studying) maths. It’s a lovely gallop through the parts of mathematical history that we don’t hear about, steering away from the stories that focus on the “Great Men” of the white western world, and digging around in a far more global and diverse view of how mathematics was developed. Especially highly recommended for anyone teaching maths at any level. It’s out in a couple of weeks. #maths#books#history
@helenczerski thanks for recommending the book. The stories it tells of similar concepts appearing in multiple regions of the world at different times, how religion, politics and culture sometimes encouraged exchange and broad participation but also often prevented it, made for a very interesting read.
@helenczerski a perfect stocking stuffer for my sister in law. Thank you. And I just read it also even though I am not a maths person it still sounds fascinating. Sigh. My book list is longer than years I have left nearly. 😂
@helenczerski this reminds me of the encyclopedia set i had growing up. in the front of every volume, they would have the evolution of that particular letter of the alphabet.
very cool.
@helenczerski
I've watched several videos on the history of maths. I can think of several school boards that will refuse to teach that mathematics was initially developed in the Middle East.
This illustration of the evolution of digits reminds me of a scene from one of my teachers' favorite short films called "Why Man Creates". As I recall, a cartoon segment showed two men at desks, writing until one shouts.
"I've invented the zero!"
"What?"
"Oh, nothing."
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