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Last broadcast on Mon, 27 Oct 2008, 03:25 on BBC Four (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Four-part series about the history of mathematics, presented by Oxford professor Marcus du Sautoy.
After showing how fundamental mathematics is to our lives, du Sautoy explores the mathematics of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece.
In Egypt, he uncovers use of a decimal system based on ten fingers of the hand, while in former Mesopotamia he discovers that the way we tell the time today is based on the Babylonian Base 60 number system.
In Greece, he looks at the contributions of some of the giants of mathematics including Plato, Euclid, Archimedes and Pythagoras, who is credited with beginning the transformation of mathematics from a tool for counting into the analytical subject we know today.
take it further:
Discover Marcus Du Sautoy's thoughts about the most important of all intellectual disciplines at the Open University.
Visit The Story of Maths on Open2.netPresenter story:
Marcus Du Sautoy shares his experiences of exploring the fascinating tale of maths.
Read about Marcus' journey of mathematical discovery at Open2.netCredits
- Presenter
- Marcus du Sautoy
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