HISTORY OF MATH

TIMELINE

624 BC
THALES OF MILETUS

Known as one of the Seven Sages of Greece,

Thales is considered the first philosopher
and mathematician. He laid the groundwork
for deductive geometry and introduced
several principles, including the first
known proof in geometry about the
properties of triangles.

PYTHAGORAS
570 BC

Pythagoras is famous for the

Pythagorean theorem, which illustrates
the relationship between the sides of a
right-angled triangle. His work in
mathematics was pivotal and had
significant influence on geometry and
number theory.

428 BC
PLATO

A philosopher and mathematician, Plato

established the Academy in Athens. He
emphasized the study of mathematics
and its role in understanding the
universe, focusing on geometry and
number theory.

EUCLID
300 BC

Euclid, known for his work “Element,” is

considered the father of geometry. His
book provided a comprehensive
understanding of geometry, including
the formulation of geometric proofs and
the foundation of what we now know as
Euclidean geometry.

287 BC
ARCHIMEDES

Archimedes was a polymath, contributing

significantly to mathematics, physics, and
engineering. He made pioneering
contributions to calculus, geometry, and
the measurement of geometric shapes,
introducing concepts such as the
approximation of pi.

HYPATIA
360
Hypatia, a prominent female
mathematician in antiquity, made
important contributions to algebra,
geometry, and astronomy. She was a
renowned teacher and scholar in
Alexandria, advocating for Neoplatonism
and advancing mathematical knoweldge.

DELANEY DILLARD - ED 228 - FALL 2023

 HISTORY OF MATH
TIMELINE

476 ARYABHATA

Aryabhata, an Indian mathematician and

astronmer, wrote the “Aryabhatiya,”
which contained significant
mathematical and astronomical
contributions. He introduced the
concept of zero and made strides in
algebra and trigonometry.

BRAHMAGUPTA
598
Brahmagupta was an Indian mathematician
and astronomer known for his work
“Brahmasphutasiddhanta,” which covered
arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. He made
fundamental contributions to number theory
and the understanding of zero and negative
numbers.

1048 OMAR KHAYYAM

Besides his notable work as a poet,

Khayyam made significant contributions
to algebra and geometry. His work
involved the classification of cubic
equations and advancements in
algebraic methods.

BHASKARA II
1114
Bhaskara II, an Indian mathematician
and astronomer, authored important
works on mathematics and
astronomy. He made key
advancements in algebra, calculus,
and trigonometry.

1170 FIBONACCI

Fibonacci introduced the Western

world to the Hindu-Arabic numeral
system in his book “Liber Abaci.” He
popularized the use of the decimal
system and the sequence now named
after him.

QIN JIUSHAO
1202
Qin Jiushao was a Chinese
mathematician who made
groundbreaking contributions in algebra
and number theory. His work “Shushu
Jiuzhang” was a comprehensive treatise
on mathematical methods.”

DELANEY DILLARD - ED 228 - FALL 2023

 HISTORY OF MATH
TIMELINE

1596 RENE DESCARTES

Descartes is renowned for his creation

of Cartesian coordinates, linking
algebra and geometry. His work laid the
groundwork for the development of
analytic geometry and the integration of
mathematics with other disciplines.

PIERRE DE FERMAT
1607
Fermat made significant
contributions to number theory,
probability, and analytical geometry.
His work, including Fermat’s Last
Theorem, laid the foundation for
modern calculus and number theory.

1642 ISAAC NEWTON

Newton developed calculus independently,

formulated the laws of motion, and the law
of universal gravitation. His contributions
revolutionized mathematics and physics,
shaping the foundations of these
disciplines.

GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ

1646
Leibniz independently developed
calculus, introducing notations still
in use today. His work on calculus
and contributions to various
branches of mathematics were
instrumental in its evolution.

1707 LEONHARD EULER

Euler made extensive contributions to a

vast array of mathematical fields. He
significantly influenced the structure
and formalization of modern
mathematics, contributing to calculus,
number theory, and geometry, among
others.

CARL FRIEDRICH GAUSS

1777
Gauss made fundamental contributions
across various mathematical domains,
including number theory, statistics, and
differential geometry. His work had
significant impact on the development
of modern mathematics.

DELANEY DILLARD - ED 228 - FALL 2023

HISTORY AND
MEANING
Mathematics is the study of numbers, quantities, shapes, patterns,
and their relationships using logic and deductive reasoning. It has
ancient origins, with early humans using basic arithmetic for tasks
like counting and measuring. Over millennia, mathematical
concepts and methods evolved, leading to the development of
various branches like algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and
more. Mathematics plays a fundamental role in understanding and
explaining natural phenomena, technological, advancements, and
societal progress.

CONCEPTUALIZATION
AND EVOLUTION
The conceptualization of mathematics evolved across different
civilizations, including ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, India,
China, and the Islamic world. Each culture made unique
contributions to mathematical thought, ranging from foundational
concepts like numbers and arithmetic to complex geometrical
theorems and algebraic techniques.

Mathematics has undergone significant evolution over centuries.

Ancient mathematical systems were practical and focused on
arithmetic and geometry for societal needs. During the
Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, the emphasis shifted
towards abstract reasoning and the development of rigorous
proofs. The 20th and 21st centuries witnessed rapid advancements
in various branches, including the advent of computers, enabling
computational mathematics and new areas like cryptography, data
science, and artificial intelligence.

BLACK AND BROWN SCHOLARS

Black and Brown scholars’ impact has been significant throughout history,
although their recognition and representation in traditional historical records
have often been overlooked. Several scholars, such as Benjamin Banneker, David
Blackwell, and others, made substantial contributions to mathematics and related
fields. Efforts have been made to include a more diverse representation in the
discipline's history to provide a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of
the contributions from mathematicians of various backgrounds. However, the
extent of their representation in official curricula can vary across different
educational systems and regions. There is ongoing work to ensure a more
inclusive representation of mathematicians from diverse backgrounds.

SOURCES
Berry, David. “The Language of the Universe.” The Story
of Maths, season 1, episode 1, BBC, Oct. 2008.

Berry, David. “The Genius of the East.” The Story of

Maths, season 1, episode 2, BBC, Oct. 2008.

Berry, David. “The Frontiers of Space.” The Story of

Maths, season 1, episode 3, BBC, Oct. 2008.