Amazing Traces of a Babylonian Origin in Greek Mathematics

Download or read book Amazing Traces of a Babylonian Origin in Greek Mathematics written by J”ran Friberg and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2007 with total page 497 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A sequel to Unexpected Links Between Egyptian and Babylonian Mathematics (World Scientific, 2005), this book is based on the authorOCOs intensive and ground breaking studies of the long history of Mesopotamian mathematics, from the late 4th to the late 1st millennium BC. It is argued in the book that several of the most famous Greek mathematicians appear to have been familiar with various aspects of Babylonian OC metric algebra, OCO a convenient name for an elaborate combination of geometry, metrology, and quadratic equations that is known from both Babylonian and pre-Babylonian mathematical clay tablets. The bookOCOs use of OC metric algebra diagramsOCO in the Babylonian style, where the side lengths and areas of geometric figures are explicitly indicated, instead of wholly abstract OC lettered diagramsOCO in the Greek style, is essential for an improved understanding of many interesting propositions and constructions in Greek mathematical works. The authorOCOs comparisons with Babylonian mathematics also lead to new answers to some important open questions in the history of Greek mathematics."