“If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.” ~ Michael Crichton
Zeke. 2024. “Are You Suggesting Coconuts Migrate? Or Where in the World Did Mathematics Come From? (Part 1).” Mathematical Mysteries. December 15, 2024. https://mathematicalmysteries.org/2024/12/14/are-you-suggesting-coconuts-migrate-or-where-in-the-world-did-mathematics-come-from-part-1/.
Zeke. 2025. “Are You Suggesting Coconuts Migrate? Or Where in the World Did Mathematics Come From? (Part 2).” Mathematical Mysteries. January 22, 2025. https://mathematicalmysteries.org/2025/01/22/are-you-suggesting-coconuts-migrate/.
Suggested Reading
⭐ Ali. 2024. “A Long History of Mathematics: From Antiquity to Contemporary.” Medium. Medium. June 10. https://ali.medium.com/a-long-history-of-mathematics-from-antiquity-to-contemporary-101a5f76f4c0.
Mathematics might seem like a complex web of numbers and theories, but its story is quite fascinating. Imagine it as a grand adventure that began thousands of years ago and continues to this day. I’m not a math historian, and my retelling is more like sharing stories around a campfire than delivering a scholarly lecture. My aim is to weave together bits and pieces I’ve gathered over time into a tapestry that shows how math has evolved. This way, we can appreciate the beauty and simplicity at the heart of mathematics, a subject that connects us all, from past to present.
“An A-To-Z History Of Mathematics”. 2021. thoughtco. https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-mathematics-1992130.
Mathematics is the science of numbers. To be precise, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mathematics as:
The science of numbers and their operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations, abstractions and of space configurations and their structure, measurement, transformations and generalizations.
There are several different branches of mathematical science, which include algebra, geometry and calculus.
Mathematics is not an invention. Discoveries and laws of science are not considered inventions since inventions are material things and processes. However, there is a history of mathematics, a relationship between mathematics and inventions and mathematical instruments themselves are considered inventions.
⭐ Bradley, Michael J. The Birth of Mathematics: Ancient Times to 1300 (Pioneers in Mathematics). New York: Chelsea House, 2006.
From 700 BCE to CE 1300, thousands of scholars from many different civilizations introduced mathematical ideas that established the foundations of arithmetic, number theory, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, as well as the related sciences of astronomy and physics. Although we know very little about specific individuals who made important mathematical discoveries in Babylonia, Egypt, and China, historians in Arabia, ancient Greece, India, and medieval Italy preserved a more complete record, including the identities of some of the innovators. The Birth of Mathematics profiles 10 individuals from these four cultures during this time period as representatives of the numerous scholars who contributed to the field of mathematics. Each chapter contains information on the person’s research, discoveries, and contributions to the field and concludes with a list of print and Internet references specific to that individual.
⭐ Bradley, Michael J. The Foundations of Mathematics: 1800 to 1900 (Pioneers in Mathematics). New York: Chelsea House, 2006.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, mathematicians developed a wealth of new ideas but had not carefully employed accurate definitions, proofs, or procedures to document and implement them. However, in the early 19th century, mathematicians began to recognize the need to precisely define their terms, to logically prove even obvious principles, and to use rigorous methods of manipulation. The Foundations of Mathematics presents the lives and accomplishments of 10 mathematicians who contributed to one or more of the four major initiatives that characterized the rapid growth of mathematics during the 19th century: the introduction of rigor, the investigation of the structure of mathematical systems, the development of new branches of mathematics, and the spread of mathematical activity throughout Europe. This new volume communicates the importance and impact of the work of the pioneers who redefined this area of study. Each chapter contains information on the person’s research, discoveries, and contributions to the field and concludes with a list of print and Internet references specific to that individual.
⭐ Bradley, Michael J. The Age of Genius: 1300 to 1800 (Pioneers in Mathematics). New York: Chelsea House, 2006.
Although mathematical innovation stagnated in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, scholars in southern Asia and the Middle East continued to preserve the mathematical writings of the Greeks and contributed new ideas to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, as well as astronomy and physics. The five centuries from CE 1300 to 1800 marked the end of a rich period of cultural, mathematical, and scientific advancements in China, India, and Arabic countries, while witnessing new intellectual life in Europe and the Western Hemisphere. The Age of Genius acquaints middle and high school students with the lives and contributions of 10 intriguing but perhaps lesser-known mathematical pioneers of this time. Included here, for example, is a portrait of 14th-century Iranian mathematician Ghiyâth al-Dîn Jamshîd Mas’ûd al-Kâshî, who developed and improved methods for approximating numerical values and introduced geometrical methods for determining areas and volumes of architectural domes, arches, and vaults.
⭐ Bradley, Michael J. Modern Mathematics: 1900 to 1950 (Pioneers in Mathematics). New York: Chelsea House, 2006.
During the first half of the 20th century, mathematics became an international discipline that led to major advances in science and technology. Modern Mathematics provides an eye-opening introduction to those five historic decades by analyzing the advancement of the field through the accomplishments of 10 significant mathematicians. From David Hilbert and Emmy Noether, who introduced the infinite dimensional vector spaces and algebraic rings that bear their names, to Norbert Wiener, the founder of cybernetics, this in-depth volume is an excellent choice for libraries aiming to provide a range of resources covering the history of mathematics.
⭐ Bradley, Michael J. Mathematics Frontiers: 1950 to the Present (Pioneers in Mathematics). New York: Chelsea House, 2006.
Tracing the development of mathematics from a biographical standpoint, Mathematics Frontiers profiles innovators from the second half of the 20th century who made significant discoveries in both pure and applied mathematics. From John H. Conway, who helped complete the classification of all finite groups (and invented “The Game of Life” board game), to Stephen Hawking, who established the mathematical basis for black holes, to Fan Chung, who developed an encoding and decoding algorithm for cell phone calls, this lively survey of contemporary minds behind the math is ideal for middle and high school students seeking resources for research or general interest.
“Great Moments In The History Of Mathematics | Openmind”. 2018. openmind. https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/mathematics/great-moments-in-the-history-of-mathematics/.
Even though there is no Nobel Prize in Mathematics, the mathematical sciences are known as the most exact sciences and some of its century-old formulas are used to this date. For this reason, Ventana al Conocimiento (Knowledge Window) would like to go over some of the greatest achievements and figures in the history of mathematics, from Ancient Greece to modern mathematics.
“History Of Mathematics – Wikipedia”. 2021. en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_mathematics.
Kampouris, Nick. 2024. “Mathematics in Ancient Greece and Its Influence on Modern Science.” greekreporter.com. February 24. https://greekreporter.com/2024/02/24/ancient-greece-mathematics-influence-modern-science/.
Advances in mathematics that can be attributed to ancient Greeks are many and have profoundly shaped the scientific world as we know it today. Let’s take a look at ancient Greece, a place where the idea of zero was yet to be discovered, and the Earth’s circumference remained a mystery.
“List of Important Mathematicians & Timeline”. 2021. storyofmathematics.com. https://www.storyofmathematics.com/mathematicians.html.
“Mathematics History”. 1581. onthisday.com. https://www.onthisday.com/science/mathematics.
“THE JOURNEY OF MATH”. 2018. Medium. https://medium.com/@adamsemily01/the-journey-of-math-627981b88d41.
Human society has always used Mathematics in almost every facet of their lives. It was first developed by the early Sumerians and since then has become a part of every human being. It was first only used for measuring or calculating time, distance or quantity. But as technology and societies advanced the form of Math also evolved. Man’s curiosity in the physical world leads to more complicated and developed forms of Math.
“The Story of Mathematics”. 2020. storyofmathematics. https://www.storyofmathematics.com/.
“Timeline Of Mathematics – Mathigon”. 2021. mathigon. https://mathigon.org/timeline/.
“Women Mathematicians Alphabetical Index”. 2022. mathwomen.agnesscott.org. https://mathwomen.agnesscott.org/women/alpha.htm.
Videos
⭐ I suggest that you read the entire reference. Other references can be read in their entirety but I leave that up to you.
The featured image on this page is from the YouTube video The History of Mathematics and Its Applications page on the YouTube website.
Mathematical Mysteries 