God Created the Integers
"God Created the Integers" is a book written by Stephen Hawking, published in 2005. The book is a collection of important mathematical texts, presented as a way to illustrate the development of mathematical thought through history. It features a selection of key writings from celebrated mathematicians, including works by figures such as Euclid, Newton, Cantor, and others.
Govinda Bhattathiri
Govinda Bhattathiri, often referred to simply as Bhattathiri, was a notable figure in the realm of Malayalam literature and is recognized for his contributions to the fields of poetry and drama. He lived during the 18th century in Kerala, India, and is particularly known for his work in the realm of classical Sanskrit and its influence on Malayalam literature.
Haridatta
"Haridatta" can refer to different concepts depending on the context. Here are a few possible meanings: 1. **Name**: Haridatta is a name of Sanskrit origin, often used in Hindu culture. It can be a personal name for individuals, with "Hari" meaning "Lord" (often referring to Lord Vishnu) and "Datta" meaning "given.
Hekat
Hekat is a figure from ancient mythology, primarily associated with Greek religion. Often referred to as Hecate, she is known as the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the moon, and a guardian of the underworld. Hecate is frequently depicted in art and literature as a woman with three forms or faces, symbolizing her connection to the triple aspects of the moon—waxing, full, and waning—as well as her role as a guide and guardian at crossroads.
Helen Abbot Merrill
Helen Abbot Merrill, known for her contributions to the fields of education and psychology, was an influential figure particularly in the early to mid-20th century.
Hellenic Mathematical Society
The Hellenic Mathematical Society (HMS) is a professional organization in Greece that aims to promote mathematical research, education, and communication. Established in 1910, the HMS serves as a platform for mathematicians in Greece and abroad to collaborate, share knowledge, and advance the field of mathematics. Key activities of the Hellenic Mathematical Society typically include: 1. **Organizing Conferences:** The society organizes national and international conferences, workshops, and seminars to facilitate discussions on various mathematical topics.
Hindu units of time
Hindu units of time are derived from ancient texts and are a part of the traditional Hindu cosmology, which includes a variety of time scales. Here are some of the key units of time recognized in Hindu tradition: 1. **Nimisha (निमेष)** - A very short unit of time, often considered as the blink of an eye (approximately 1/30 of a second).
History of computing
The history of computing is a fascinating journey that chronicles the evolution of computing machinery, algorithms, and the general concept of computation. Here’s an overview of key developments throughout this history: ### Ancient to Medieval Periods - **Abacus (circa 500 BC)**: The earliest known computing device, used for basic arithmetic calculations. - **Antikythera Mechanism (circa 150 BC)**: An ancient Greek analog computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses.
History of logarithms
The history of logarithms dates back to the early 17th century and is closely tied to the development of mathematics, particularly in the fields of arithmetic and algebra. Here’s a brief overview of the key developments in the history of logarithms: ### Origins and Development - **Early Concepts**: The concept of logarithms began to take shape as mathematicians sought to simplify complex calculations, particularly multiplication and division. The need for easier computation methods was especially pronounced in astronomy and navigation.
The history of manifolds and varieties is a rich and evolving narrative within mathematics, particularly in the fields of geometry, topology, and algebraic geometry. Here’s an overview of their development: ### Early Concepts 1. **Geometry and Curves (Ancient to Renaissance)**: Early thinkers like Euclid focused on geometric shapes, while the study of curves began to take shape during the Renaissance with the work of mathematicians like Descartes and Fermat.
The history of mathematical notation is a fascinating journey that reflects the evolution of mathematics itself, as well as changes in culture, language, and technology. Here’s a brief overview of the key developments in mathematical notation from ancient times to the modern era: ### Ancient Civilizations 1. **Babylonians (c. 2000 BC)**: The Babylonians used a sexagesimal (base-60) numeral system and recorded calculations on clay tablets.
History of topos theory
Topology is a branch of mathematics that deals with the properties of space that are preserved under continuous transformations. Topos theory, developed in the 1960s, represents a significant advancement in mathematical logic and category theory, providing a generalized framework for understanding notions in set theory, logic, and topology through the lens of category theory.
Hobbes–Wallis controversy
The Hobbes-Wallis controversy refers to a philosophical and scientific debate from the 17th century that centered around the nature of mathematical truths and the existence of absolute space and time. This controversy primarily involved Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, and John Wallis, an English mathematician and theologian. The disagreement arose over several issues related to geometry and the nature of mathematical proofs. Hobbes was critical of the geometric methods employed by Wallis and other mathematicians of the time.
Hypercomplex number
Hypercomplex numbers extend the concept of complex numbers to higher dimensions. While complex numbers can be represented in the form \( a + bi \), where \( a \) and \( b \) are real numbers and \( i \) is the imaginary unit satisfying \( i^2 = -1 \), hypercomplex numbers involve additional dimensions and may introduce multiple imaginary units.
Iatromathematicians
Iatromathematicians, or iatromathematics, refers to a historical approach where mathematics was applied to medicine. The term combines "iatro," meaning physician or medicine, with "mathematics." Iatromathematicians sought to use mathematical principles to understand and treat medical conditions, often through the analysis of bodily functions, medical statistics, and the quantitative assessment of diseases.
Ishango bone
The Ishango bone is a prehistoric artifact discovered in the Ishango region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It dates back to approximately 20,000 years ago, during the Upper Paleolithic period. The bone is notable for its markings, which are thought to represent some of the earliest known forms of mathematical notation or arithmetic. The Ishango bone is made from the fibula of a baboon and has a series of engraved notches carved into its surface.
Jyotirmimamsa
Jyotirmimamsa is a classical Indian text that belongs to the field of Jyotisha, which is the traditional Indian system of astrology and astronomy. The term "Jyotirmimamsa" can be translated as the "Reflection on Light" or "Philosophy of Light.
Jyā, koti-jyā, and utkrama-jyā are terms from classical Indian mathematics and astronomy, particularly in the context of trigonometry and spherical geometry. 1. **Jyā (ज्या)**: This term refers to what we would call the sine function in modern trigonometry. In classical Indian texts, "jyā" was used to describe the half-chord of an arc in a circle.
The Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics refers to a group of scholars in the Indian state of Kerala who made significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy from the 14th to the 16th century. This intellectual movement is notable for its advancements in various mathematical concepts, particularly in the fields of calculus, trigonometry, and infinite series, long before these ideas gained widespread acceptance in Europe.
Kraków School of Mathematics
The Kraków School of Mathematics refers to a significant historical network of mathematicians centered in Kraków, Poland, particularly during the interwar period (1918-1939). This group was notable for its contributions to various fields of mathematics, including functional analysis, set theory, and topology.