Math has been around since the dawn of civilization, but over the years, it has gone through numerous changes and revisions. From the Babylonians to the Romans and the Egyptians, mathematics has evolved over centuries. From basic counting to complex calculus, math has an interesting history that continues to evolve today.
This article will discuss how math has changed over the centuries and how the basis of our current mathematical system was formed.
A Brief History of Math
Math has a long history–some researchers trace its origins back to ancient Babylon in 3,000 BC. While it’s unclear how the Babylonians used math, their contributions to mathematics are indisputable. They are credited with inventing the sexagesimal place-value system, which greatly simplified calculations.
As Babylonian math spread to other parts of the world, it made its way to Egypt, where the Egyptians used it to make calculation tables. By the time of the Roman Empire, mathematics had evolved with the contributions of Euclid and Archimedes.
The Middle Ages brought forth a period of stagnation in the world of math as religious institutions had little interest in advancing mathematics, but some Islamic scholars kept the field alive and well. By the 16th century, European mathematicians, such as Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler, advanced the field significantly with their theories and observations. By the end of the 18th century, mathematicians such as Newton and Leibniz had firmly established a system of mathematics that is still in use today.
The Renaissance of Mathematics
Though mathematics had made tremendous strides by the end of the 18th century, it wasn’t until the 19th century and the advancements of the Industrial Revolution that mathematics really began to take off. The growth of science led to the need for more complex forms of math, such as algebra and higher geometry. Calculus and trigonometry gained favor and began to appear in textbooks.
Mathematics in this period went from a practical application to a more theoretical one. The 20th century saw further advancement with the development of computers and modern technology.
Math and technology quickly merged, and math principles began to be used to solve everyday problems. Numbers and equations were used in engineering, economics and other fields, and even entire mathematical disciplines dedicated to the study of computer science were created.
Math Today
Math continues to evolve today with the development of new technologies and tools. Math is used in virtually every profession, from finance and engineering to entertainment and gaming. Software and computers greatly simplify calculations, which allow people to utilize math in ways never before imagined.
Programs and algorithms are regularly being developed to perform complex calculations and analyze data. The advancements of the 20th century have been largely driven by mathematics.
From the rocket ships and aircrafts to the computers and mobile phones, just about anything can be attributed to modern mathematics. As technologies, fields and disciplines continue to advance, mathematicians have to revise traditional equations, theories and concepts to account for the ever-evolving world around us.
Conclusions
Math has changed dramatically over the course of time, from its humble beginnings as a practical tool to its current form as a system heavily reliant on technology. Through the works of mathematicians, math has evolved to encompass practically all aspects of modern life, from engineering to entertainment. As the world continues to evolve, math will undoubtedly continue to be an essential tool to keep up with the pace of change.