Unit 2: Arithmetic September 20- October 4

The Rhind Papyrus

Readings.
 

Book codes:  AC=Africa Counts;  MMC=Multicultural Math Classroom;  CP=Crest of the Peacock;  UHN=Universal History of Numbers

Assignment #2.  (final list--due Monday, October 8th)

1. Write the numbers 3,005 and 59 in Egyptian hieroglyphics, then show how the Egyptians would have computed
1. 3,005 + 59
2. 3,005 - 59
Leave your answers in hieroglyphics.
2. Compute the following using the Egyptian two-column method.  You need not use hieroglyphics.
1. 69 x 123
2. 312 / 12
3. Compute the following using base 60 arithmetic.  Show your work.  Check your answers by converting to base 10.
1. 21,45  +  3,0,55
2. 30,0,0,5 - 1,20
4. Show how to multiply 238 x 457
1. using the gelosia method
2. using Vedic multiplication
5. Extra credit.  Compute the following using base 60 arithmetic.  Show your work.
1. 43,20 x 51,40
2. 1,0,5  /  7

Sample Test Questions.

You may bring a 5x7 index card with any notes you wish on it.  The test will be about 30 minutes long.

• Several questions will be similar to homework questions.  In particular, you should be able to
• do addition and subtraction problems using Egyptian hieroglyphics.
• do multiplication and division problems using the Egyptian two-column method.
• do addition and subtraction problems in base 60.
• use the gelosia method to multiply two numbers of any size.
• use Vedic multiplication to multiply two- or three-digit numbers.
• There will be a few multiple-choice questions based on lectures and readings.  To help you focus, here are some key concepts we have discussed or will discuss:
• carrying
• borrowing
• decomposing a higher-order unit
• the Distributive Law
• FOIL and how it relates to the Distributive Law
You should be familiar with each concept and able to give an example for each.

Web Resources.

• Egyptian mathematics
• Babylonian mathematics
• Chronograms
• Indian numerals
• History of zero
• Egyptian fractions

Multicultural Mathematics home page.
Images are from the MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive (used by permission).