PODCAST · education
Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPad/Mac/PC
by The Open University
Since the dawn of civilisation, humans have used everyday materials to create mathematical models of the world around them. This album explores the ancient Greeks' astrolabe as a model of the skies; the sundial, to tell the time; Babylonian clay tablets to record wages and trading of sheep; wooden tallies for bulk-buying beer, the Incas' use of knots and string, and the sophisticated number-engine invented by Charles Babbage. This material forms part of The Open University course MST121 Using mathematics.
Episodes
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Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines
A short introduction to this album.
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The sundial as a mathematical model
An ancient mathematical tool to measure the daily and annual cycles of the earth around the sun.
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Reading the sky with the astrolabe
How the Greeks invented a two dimensional astrolabe as a conceptual model of the cosmos, and how it was used.
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Recording sales in clay tablets
Clay tokens, an ancient system used to record goods changing hands.
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Incas and their knots
How South American Incas kept records by the use of knots.
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Wooden tallies for buying beer
How wholesale beer sales were recorded using notches on wooden tallies.
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John Napier's mathematical creations
John Napier's method of multiplication and logarithms, and how Charles Babbage corrected his calculations.
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Babbage's engine of precision
Charles Babbage's ingenious mechanical device to compute mathematical equations.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Since the dawn of civilisation, humans have used everyday materials to create mathematical models of the world around them. This album explores the ancient Greeks' astrolabe as a model of the skies; the sundial, to tell the time; Babylonian clay tablets to record wages and trading of sheep; wooden tallies for bulk-buying beer, the Incas' use of knots and string, and the sophisticated number-engine invented by Charles Babbage. This material forms part of The Open University course MST121 Using mathematics.
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The Open University
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Since the dawn of civilisation, humans have used everyday materials to create mathematical models of the world around them. This album explores the ancient Greeks' astrolabe as a model of the skies; the sundial, to tell the time; Babylonian clay tablets to record wages and trading of sheep; wooden...
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Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPad/Mac/PC has 16 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPad/Mac/PC is created and hosted by The Open University.
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