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Historically, which came first?
Posted:
Aug 12, 1995 7:05 AM
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Dear Colleagues,
The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, written 1650BC, contains an
algorithm for multiplication and tables of division. One
division table says something like 10 loves of bread shared by
1 person, two people, three people, etc. The answers are in
fractions, to be exact, unit fractions which was the way the
early Egyptians expressed their fractions.
There will be an
article coming out shortly about fractions in the Rhind Papyrus
in the NCTM journal Teach Mathematics in Middle School. I like
to use such information for historical and multicultural
mathematics connections for my students. They love the "human"
connection.
--
Cheers!
Karen Dee
Math History Lives!
Karen Dee Michalowicz VQUEST Math Lead Teacher/Trainer
Upper School Mathematics Chair Virginia Quality Education
The Langley School in Sciences and Technology
1411 Balls Hill Rd, McLean, VA
22012 USA
703-356-1920(w) E-Mail: kmichalo@pen.k12.va.us
Fax: (703) 790-9712 --or-- KarenDM@aol.com
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