MAT40H: History of Mathematics

This course focuses on the historical development of mathematical ideas, the role of individual character and culture in the advancement of mathematics, and the historical context of major discoveries and changes of viewpoint.

This is a one-trimester course focusing on the historical development of mathematical ideas, the role of individual character and culture in the advancement of mathematics, and the historical context of major discoveries and changes of viewpoint. Major themes of the course include: the development of mathematics in non-Western cultures, the development of geometry and number theory, the Platonic/Pythagorean synthesis and the study of harmony, the algebraic synthesis of geometry and the early development of algebra, the arithmetization of analysis, and the development of the number concept from ancient to modern times. Both mathematics and writing will be utilized in this course and each student will choose a topic for an expository paper.