Was Pythagorean Chinese?
1- Does it make a difference to our students' learning if we acknowledge (or don't acknowledge) non-European sources of mathematics? Why, or how?
Yes, it is very important for our students to realize that mathematics has always been an important part of humanity and it is always the natural language of our world.
2- What are your thoughts about the naming of the Pythagorean Theorem, and other named mathematical theorems and concepts (for example, Pascal's Triangle...check out its history
We have been discussing different topics that were developed in ancient civilizations. The Pythagorean Theorem is one of these topics. This theorem was named after Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician and philosopher, although we have evidence that the Babylonians knew this relationship about1000 years earlier. Plimpton 322, a Babylonian mathematical tablet dated back to 1900 B.C., contains a table of Pythagorean triples. The Chou-pei, an ancient Chinese text, also gives us evidence that the Chinese knew about the Pythagorean theorem many years earlier.
Pascal triangle, also known as the combinational triangle, figurative triangle, and the binomial triangle. It is named for French mathematician Blaise Pascal, but his triangle was studied independently both by Chinese and Persians during the eleven Century.
Therefor, Math discoveries over the years, were the result of cumulative achievements of different nations not just a specific person. They are precious history of humanity, and We all must take proud of them and try to keep them alive.
1- Does it make a difference to our students' learning if we acknowledge (or don't acknowledge) non-European sources of mathematics? Why, or how?
Yes, it is very important for our students to realize that mathematics has always been an important part of humanity and it is always the natural language of our world.
2- What are your thoughts about the naming of the Pythagorean Theorem, and other named mathematical theorems and concepts (for example, Pascal's Triangle...check out its history
We have been discussing different topics that were developed in ancient civilizations. The Pythagorean Theorem is one of these topics. This theorem was named after Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician and philosopher, although we have evidence that the Babylonians knew this relationship about1000 years earlier. Plimpton 322, a Babylonian mathematical tablet dated back to 1900 B.C., contains a table of Pythagorean triples. The Chou-pei, an ancient Chinese text, also gives us evidence that the Chinese knew about the Pythagorean theorem many years earlier.
Pascal triangle, also known as the combinational triangle, figurative triangle, and the binomial triangle. It is named for French mathematician Blaise Pascal, but his triangle was studied independently both by Chinese and Persians during the eleven Century.
Therefor, Math discoveries over the years, were the result of cumulative achievements of different nations not just a specific person. They are precious history of humanity, and We all must take proud of them and try to keep them alive.
Very nice, Roya!
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