Readings.
 

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

Assignment #3.  (due Monday, November 5th)

The assignment will be distributed in class on Monday, October 29th.  You can also print it out here if you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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
• find areas of polygons by dissection methods.
• reconstruct the steps in the dissection proof of the Pythagorean theorem.
• generate Pythagorean triples.
• apply the Pythagorean theorem to solve geometry problems.
• 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:
• area
• dissection
• kou ku theorem
• elephants' defense motif
• Plimpton tablet
• Pythagorean triple
• primitive Pythagorean triple
You should be familiar with each concept and able to give an example for each.

Web Resources.

• Babylonian mathematics

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