SUMERIAN/

BABYLONIAN
MATHEMATICS
 SUMERIAN
 Sumerians, one of the world's
earliest civilizations around 4000
BCE, laid the foundation for
mathematics with their development
of a base-60 numerical system, used
for counting and basic arithmetic.

 Sumer also called the cradle of

civilization.
 BABYLONIAN
 The Babylonians were an ancient

Mesopotamian civilization that thrived in

the region of present-day Iraq from around
1894 BC to 539 BC.

 Succeeded the Sumerians in Mesopotamia,

further advanced mathematics by refining

techniques for solving equations and
geometric problems.
 SUMERIAN CLAY CONES

 Sumerian clay cones are believed to

have been used as a form of early

numerical notation.

 Starting as early as the 4th millennium

BC, they began using a small clay

cone to represent one, a clay ball for
ten, and a large cone for sixty
 THE TERRACOTTA AKKADIAN
CADASTRE
 The Terracotta Akkadian Cadastre, also
known as the "Babylonian clay tablet," is an
ancient Akkadian artifact dating back to
around 2350 BCE.
 It provides detailed information about the
allocation of land for agricultural purposes,
including the size and shape of the land plots,
as well as their boundaries.
 The records of land measurements in the
Terracotta Akkadian Cadastre likely required
mathematical calculations for surveying and
taxation purposes.
 SUMERIAN CUNEIFORM
 Sumerian cuneiform, an ancient script from 3200

BCE, contributed to mathematics through

numerical notations, advanced arithmetic, and
practical problem-solving.

 It introduced concepts like place value and a base-

60 numeral system, influencing later civilizations

and shaping the foundation of mathematics in
Mesopotamia and beyond.
 PLIMPTON CLAY TABLET
 The Plimpton Clay Tablet, around 1800

BCE, is renowned for containing early

examples of Pythagorean triples and
square root calculations, showcasing the
Babylonians' advanced mathematical
skills and contributions to geometry and
number theory.
 YBC 7289
 A Babylonian clay tablet notable for
containing an accurate sexagesimal
approximation to the square root of 2, the
length of the diagonal of a unit square.
 This number is given to the equivalent of
six decimal digits, "the greatest known
computational accuracy in the ancient
world".
 The tablet is believed to be the work of a
student in southern Mesopotamia from
some time between 1800 and 1600 BC.
 BABYLONIAN NUMERALS
 Babylonian numerals were a base-60
positional numeral system used in
ancient Mesopotamia, particularly by
the Babylonians.
 Babylonian numerals were primarily
used for mathematical calculations and
record-keeping in ancient
Mesopotamia.
 While they are quite different from
modern numerals, they were a
significant advancement in their time
and contributed to the development of
mathematics in the ancient world.
 OTHER
CONTRIBUTIONS OF
SUMERIAN/BABYLO
NIANS
 ALGEBRA

 They developed methods for

solving algebraic equations

and even had a rudimentary
understanding of quadratic
equations.
 TRIGONOMETRY

 Babylonians made advances

in trigonometry, using it for

calculating angles and
distances in astronomy.
Geometry and Land Surveying
 They used geometric principles for

land surveying, which was crucial

for agricultural planning, resource
allocation, and urban development.
 MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS
 Babylonians left behind a collection of

mathematical problems, some of which

required solving quadratic equations
and other advanced mathematical
concepts. These problems served as
early mathematical exercises and
challenges for students of the time.
THANK YOU SO
MUCH