Overview
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Explore the foundations of Greek number theory in this 42-minute mathematics history lecture. Delve into the ancient Greeks' study of squares, triangular numbers, primes, and perfect numbers. Learn about Euclid's Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, which states that natural numbers can be uniquely factored into primes. Discover the Euclidean algorithm for finding greatest common divisors and its connection to continued fractions. Examine Pell's equation and its relation to Archimedes' famous Cattle problem. Gain insights into the mathematical concepts that shaped ancient Greek understanding of numbers and their properties.
Syllabus
Introduction
Overview
Prime numbers
Euclids theorem
Factors
Perfect numbers
Primes
Euclidean algorithm
Taught by
Insights into Mathematics