|
|
Open University's Egyptian math on-line class
Posted:
Sep 8, 2008 8:07 AM
|
|
Dear List members:
Open University should be congratulated for gathering 50 to 80 year views in an on-line Egyptian math class, per:
http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2484
A self review rates its class as intermediate. My view is that the class offers beginner views, as scholars first began to seriously decode Egyptian mathematics 80 years ago. For example, 80 years ago the Egyptian Mathematical Leather Roll (EMLR) was suggested to have been additive in scope. Recent reports, since 2002, show that EMLR construction methods likely contained least common multiple number theory equivalent to the RMP 2/n table itself, as noted by:
http://emlr.blogspot.com
and,
http://rmprectotable.blogspot.com
and other analyses suggesting that Ahmes may have applied properties of algorithms to create certain Egyptian fraction series.
Hence, the EMLR should be offered as a central set of facts in beginner course. An intermediate course should offer ways to introduce unresolved Egyptian math issues. An advanced class should offer alternative ways to review unresolved issues, based on modern cryptanalysis working with philologists and math historians, or other interdisciplinary approaches.
Please considering rating Open University's class as beginner, intermediate or advanced. Your review can be posted to the Open University web page, and/or here.
Best Regards,
Milo Gardner
|
|
