HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS

Instructor: Paul Robinson

Class: MTWRF 4; 201 Little Hall

Office:

Mathematics has a history that extends thousands of years into the past, at least as it relates to mankind. It is plainly impossible to do the subject justice in the space of one summer session; any course on the history of mathematics must perforce be highly selective. The focus of the course this year will be on the development of geometry. More specifically, we shall consider aspects of the following: Euclidean plane geometry (from Euclid onwards), polyhedra (regular and otherwise), hyperbolic geometry and projective geometry.

There will be three tests and five quizzes during the term: one test (for 50 points) will take place on each even Friday; quizzes (each for 10 points) will take place randomly. Performance in the course will be based on either all three tests or two tests and all quizzes; grades will be assigned according to the usual scale (A 90%, B+ 85%, B 80% and so on).
 

Examinations

Test 1: 14 July

Test 2: 28 July

Test 3: 11 August