MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD

ASSIGNMENT #1

DIZON, DANIEL RUSSEL C.

Mathematics is a historical subject. It has been explored by various

mathematicians across the world since centuries, in different civilizations. Archimedes,
from the BC century is known to be the Father of Mathematics. He introduced formulas
to calculate surface area and volume of solids. Whereas, Aryabhatt, born in 476 CE, is
known as the Father of Indian Mathematics. In the 6th century BC, the study of
mathematics began with the Pythagoreans, as a “demonstrative discipline”. The word
mathematics originated from the Greek word “mathema”, which means “subject of
instruction”. Another mathematician, named Euclid, introduced the axiom, postulates,
theorems and proofs, which are also used in today’s mathematics. History of
Mathematics has been an ancient study and is described by each part of the world, in a
varying method. There were many mathematicians who have given different theories for
many concepts, which we are applying in modern mathematics.

The history of mathematics is a rich tapestry of human thought and discovery,

spanning thousands of years. It began with basic counting and arithmetic in ancient
civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Egypt around 3000 BCE, as they developed
numerical systems for practical purposes like trade and construction.

In ancient Greece, from around 600 BCE to 300 BCE, mathematicians like
Pythagoras, Euclid, and Archimedes made groundbreaking contributions. Pythagoras is
renowned for the Pythagorean theorem, while Euclid's "Elements" laid the foundation for
geometry, and Archimedes excelled in calculus and mechanics. In India, during the 5th to
7th centuries CE, mathematicians like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta made strides in
algebra and number theory. They introduced the concept of zero and the decimal system,
which later influenced the Arab world and Europe.
 The Islamic Golden Age (8th to 13th centuries) produced scholars like Al-
Khwarizmi, Al-Kindi, and Omar Khayyam, who advanced algebra, introduced algebraic
symbols, and worked on trigonometry and geometry. During the European Renaissance
(14th to 17th centuries), ancient Greek mathematics saw a revival, and new fields like
calculus emerged with mathematicians like Newton and Leibniz. The invention of the
printing press facilitated the spread of mathematical knowledge. In the 19th century,
mathematics underwent a profound transformation with the development of abstract
algebra, topology, set theory, and mathematical logic. Pioneering figures like Gauss,
Euler, Cantor, and Gödel made groundbreaking contributions to these fields. The 20th
century marked a period of unprecedented growth in mathematics. It played a pivotal role
in computer science, with figures like Alan Turing and John von Neumann contributing
significantly. Cryptography also benefited from mathematical advancements.

Mathematics found applications in various scientific disciplines, from physics and

engineering to economics and social sciences. It helped explain complex phenomena and
solve real-world problems, driving technological innovations. New branches of
mathematics continued to emerge, such as chaos theory, fractal geometry, and
information theory, enriching our understanding of natural and artificial systems. In the
21st century, mathematics remains at the forefront of scientific and technological
progress, underpinning fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and quantum
computing. Throughout history, mathematics has been a universal language, transcending
cultural and geographical boundaries, and it continues to shape our understanding of the
world, making it an essential and ever-evolving part of human knowledge.