Reflect on the reading: Medieval Islam Mathematics

Reflecting on the reading, it’s fascinating to see the significant role that the House of Wisdom in Baghdad played during the Islamic Golden Age. It was more than just a library; it was a vibrant center of translation and research where scholars translated Greek and Hindu treatises into Arabic and conducted their own research. This institution was instrumental in preserving and expanding knowledge during this period.

The contributions of Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī, a renowned Muslim mathematician, are particularly noteworthy. Al-Khwārizmī popularized the use of Hindu-Arabic numbers and the number zero, introduced the concept of algebra, and demonstrated the use of geometry to prove algebraic results. His treatise on Hindu-Arabic numerals played a pivotal role in popularizing these numbers and the concept of zero, which revolutionized mathematical computations.

Lastly, the practical application of algebra, as demonstrated in Al-Khwārizmī’s treatise, Kitab al jabr wa’l-muqabalah, is quite remarkable. The treatise showed how algebra could be applied to real-world problems, specifically in the context of Islamic inheritance laws. This highlights how mathematical concepts were not just theoretical constructs but were used to address practical issues.

These points underscore the rich history of Islamic Mathematics and its profound influence on the mathematics we use today.

Comments

  1. stephalafDecember 10, 2023 at 5:06 PM

    Hi Shawn, I like your point about the use of mathematics not just as a theoretical construct but as something to address practical issues. This seems to be a common thread across some of the concepts in this course. It makes me reflect on the different contemporary contexts that math contributes to and how we might draw on those contexts in math learning.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reading: Babylonian algebra

Using specific examples and practical situations, mathematical principles could be demonstrated. For instance, to convey the concept of multiplication, Babylonia used scenarios like calculating the area of rectangular fields. Mathematics seeks to distill patterns and relationships from concrete observations and data, enabling the creation of general principles that can be applied to a wide range of situations. Through these generalizations and abstractions, mathematics provides a powerful framework for understanding the structure and behavior of the natural world and solving complex problems.
Read more

First Reading Response: Why teach math history

Studying the historical development of mathematical concepts helps students understand why certain mathematical ideas were created and how they have evolved throughout time. Moreover, stories of mathematicians making groundbreaking discoveries can inspire students and show them that anyone can contribute to the field. For example, when teaching arithmetic series, I will tell the story of Gauss’s teacher told him to go away and add up the numbers from 1 to 100. When I read “History may be liable to breed cultural chauvinism and parochial nationalism”, I stopped. I agree that there's a possibility of emphasizing the achievements and contributions of one's own culture while downplaying or overlooking the contributions of other cultures when history is presented in mathematics education. When I read “History as a bridge between mathematics and other subjects” l stopped again. I remembered that when teaching calculus, I introduced the historical context of how Newton and Leibniz ind...
Read more

Final blog post

Image
The Tower of Hanoi project has been a rewarding exploration of the intersection between mathematics, culture, and creativity. It has inspired me to incorporate more engaging and culturally relevant elements into my teaching, while also emphasizing the importance of thoughtful assignment design to ensure optimal learning outcomes for students. One of the key takeaways from this project was the intricate balance between mathematical principles and the creativity embedded in the puzzle. The Tower of Hanoi beautifully combines logic, problem-solving, and a touch of mystique. The rules governing the movement of disks, the recursive nature of the solution, and the underlying mathematical concepts contribute to a rich learning experience. What surprised me the most was the diverse set of stories associated with the puzzle, each contributing its own lore. The narrative about monks working with gigantic golden disks in an ancient temple tower, and the impending end of the world upon completion ...
Read more