StudyFug Math Lecture Review1

If it wasn’t for the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians and Greeks, who laid the foundation
of modern math, we would be still stuck in the stone age. Of course there have been
incredible mathematicians from literally all parts of the world, but it is these three
specific civilizations that have been credited with starting it all.
So did we do any calculations before these ancient geniuses showed up? Or were we
just hunters and gatherers that were running around in the mud simply looking to
survive?
Contrary to popular belief, this notion is actually false.
Believe it or not, humans were performing advanced calculations 1000s of years

before any Sumerian, Egyptian or Greek philosopher showed up.
We were doing math way back in our caveman days. Today the math and science
community refers to these calculations found as “Prehistoric math”.
In fact, it was during this time that basic roots of algebra, calculus and every form of
advanced mathematics we know today were laid down. Scientists have discovered
wooden tablets in Africa that date back over 20,000 years ago with a proper counting
system on it. Same types of artifacts and evidence were discovered near Stonehenge.
In addition there are thousand of examples of prehistoric math that has been unearthed
all over the world.
So math literally started when we first appeared on this planet. It all began with
simple calculations using very simple tools. Instead of using a MacBook air like most
of us do today, our ancestors had an abundance of sticks and rocks. Guess you can call
them the first variation of calculators. Heck even an abacus would be absolutely
groundbreaking to our ancestors during this time.
It was during this era that basic addition and subtraction started taking form.
Overtime, as things got complicated for human beings (Basic barter trading, building
tribes, etc), the need for advanced math got bigger and almost organically, things
started to naturally evolve.
Soon the next quantum leap occurred . . . Thanks to the ancient Sumerians.
The ancient Sumerians and Babylonians developed a special kind of numeric system
that had a base of 60. Although completely different from the Greeks, the Egyptians
and others, this system of using 60 as a base is considered the founding principle of
modern mathematics. Basically, this was the first standardized way of using Math. In
addition, the Sumerians and Babylonians were already using quadratic equations,
geometry and even right angled triangles.
Long before the famous Greek mathematician Pythagoras so called “discovered” it.
Needless to say, the ancient Sumerians were on another level. I guess when you don’t
have Social media to distract you, you brain can actually come up with some
wonderful things.
Moving on to the ancient Egyptians, it is globally believed that it was the mighty
pyramid builders who fully created the 10 base number system. A mathematical
system that our current modern civilization is based on. Not to mention additional and
deeper advances in arithmetic and geometry that the Egyptians left for us. This all
makes sense because there is no way you can make those incredible pyramids without
any proper math knowledge. After all, it’s not like they could go on Google and hire
an architect or a math tutor
The great Egyptians also introduced us to the modern fractions and multiplication.
Plus don’t forget the ever so controversial Golden ratio. Today many archeologist
argue that it was the Egyptians who discovered it and if you have any doubts, just
look at their architecture. Whether you believe this ‘theory’ or not, it does beg for a
good debate.
Soon after (Almost by design), it was the Greeks turn to shine. Making additional
advancement in ideas borrowed from the Egyptians, the Greeks took geometry to the
next level with new concepts such as Thale’s Theorem and not to mention the
introduction to the ground breaking idea of ‘infinity’. Something that was never heard
of or even imagined. Long story short, the Greeks systematized what was already
known which made it easier for anybody to learn about Math and use it to their
advantage.
During these incredible times, as empires conquered each other, knowledge was
naturally passed around as well. I guess you can compare (In a really bizarre way)
taking over someone’s entire country back in those days to today’s internet. Once you
are conquered, you get to learn new things (If you’re left alive of course). This
‘conquering’ increased the exchange of knowledge either by will or by force but at the
end of the day, it lead to even more discoveries in the math world. In fact, Alexandria
became home to the first first and biggest library in history.
Discoveries such as integers and finding the square root of a number soon followed.
Further advancements in Geometry, trigonometry and heck even astronomy started to
take place at a rapid pace.
You can’t talk about the Greeks without talking about the Romans who although
weren’t big on Math, they did invent the Roman numerals. They were more interested
in the practical use of numbers rather than sitting somewhere on a hill in a robe trying
to imagine some new numerical miracle. They used what worked and stuck with it.
That wonderful mix of practicality and Math brought water to the entire Roman
kingdom all thanks to the invention of the aqueducts. To think this was accomplished
3000 years ago is incredible as even to this day, there are many African and South
Asian countries who don’t even have water for their people. Ouch!
While this was all taking place in Europe, there were some serious mathematical
discoveries happening in South America as well. For example, the invention of the
number zero. Yup! It wasn’t just the Indians who created that concept. The funny
thing is they both discovered it during the same time period. However, there is no way
that they could have made contact back then. You see, it’s these so called
‘coincidences’ that give the show ‘Ancient Aliens’ such credibility. In this case, they
definitely deserve some credit.
During this time, the Chinese were making their mark in the field of mathematics as
well. They literally perfected the abacus or better known as the world’s first
calculator. They also solved some of the world’s most advanced equations and left a
solid mark on what we call modern day math.
Going back to the Indian subcontinent, the invention of the decimal came from this
region as well. Including linear and quadratic equations. Some serious advanced
mathematical discoveries were happening in this part of the world like discovering
sine, cosine and other fresh principles.

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If it wasn’t for the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians and Greeks, who laid the foundation

Contrary to popular belief, this notion is actually false.

Believe it or not, humans were performing advanced calculations 1000s of years

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