Number Systems Ancient to Modern - The Babylonians - Sociology and Pure Maths

Explore the fascinating world of ancient Mesopotamian mathematics in this 46-minute video lecture. Delve into the Old Babylonian arithmetical system, a base 60 sexagesimal floating point system that predates the modern Hindu-Arabic base 10 system. Discover the significance of the number 60 having a factor of 3, unlike 10, and its impact on mathematical calculations. Journey through the history of ancient Mesopotamia, from the Sumerians to the Akkadians to the Babylonians, focusing on the golden age of clay tablets from 1900-1600 B.C.E. Examine an ancient Problem Text that showcases the Babylonians' concrete approach to arithmetic, step-by-step explanations, and their understanding of quadratic equations. Learn about the role of multiplication tables and their dual function as division tools. Gain insights into the computational advantages of Old Babylonian arithmetic and its relevance to modern mathematics education. Reflect on how historical perspectives can challenge current mathematical thinking and broaden our understanding of numerical systems.