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34740 - History of Mathematics

Academic Year 2019/2020

                
                        Docente:
                        Salvatore Coen
                    
                        Credits:
                        9
                    
                        SSD:
                        MAT/04
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Moduli:
                        
                            Maria Giulia Lugaresi
                            (Modulo 2)
                        
                            Salvatore Coen
                            (Modulo 1)
                        
                            Maria Giulia Lugaresi
                            (Modulo 3)
                        
                        Teaching Mode:
                        
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
                                
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 1)
                                
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 3)
                                
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
                            Mathematics (cod. 8208)

                            Teaching resources on Virtuale

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has an in-depth historical and epistemological knowledge of the main key themes of mathematics and mathematical thought. He also possesses a good general overview of the evolution of mathematics and mathematical thought.

Course contents

Mathematics (Arithmetics, Algebra, Geometry) in sumerian, babylonian, egyptian civilizations.
Thales, Pythagoras. Maths in Plato and greek mathematics before Plato.
Euclid's Elements. Ruler and compass constructions. Proportion Theory as in the Book V of the Elements.
A short survey on mathematics in the Hellenistic period: Archimedes. Apollonius of Perga. Diophantus of Alexandria, Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria, Heron of Alexandria, Diophantus of Alexandria.

Readings/Bibliography

Euclide, Gli Elementi, a cura di Attilio Frajese e Lamberto Maccioni. 1996.
Thomas Heath, A History of Greek Mathematics, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1921,
Morris Kline, Storia del pensiero matematico, Einuadi Editore, 1991.
Carl B. Boyer, Uta C. Merzbach, A History of Mathematics, John Wiley and Sons, New York. Several other recent editions.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons. Class attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended for the learning process

Assessment methods

Oral exam test. In special cases the examination board may also grant a written test. The written test must be requested at least one week before the exam.

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Coen

See the website of Maria Giulia Lugaresi