Announcing a new Project MATHEMATICS! videotape: EARLY HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS
This 30-minute program uses motion, color, music, and images of original documents to outline some of the important developments in the early history of mathematics, from Babylonian calendars on clay tablets produced 5000 years ago, to landmark events leading to the development of calculus in the seventeenth century.
It describes number symbols developed in different cultures; how numerology gave birth to number theory; the Pythagorean Theorem; the multi-cultural search for estimating the number pi; how astronomy led to trigonometry; and efforts such as the creation of analytic geometry that accelerated the development of calculus. It presents computer-animated demonstrations of the Pythagorean Theorem, the irrationality of the square root of two (a new geometric proof), the formula for the area of a circular disk, and the method of Archimedes for estimating pi.
A workbook/program guide to accompany this tape is also available. Early History is the tenth in a series of award-winning modules (videotapes and workbooks) produced by Project MATHEMATICS!, a nonprofit effort based at Caltech. The programs are described on the web site:
Production of this particular module was made possible by a generous gift from Caltech Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Irving S. Reed, one of the creators of the Reed-Solomon code.
Videotapes and workbooks can be ordered by mail or telephone from the Caltech Bookstore, 1-51 Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125. Toll-free telephone number: 1-800-514-BOOK. You can also place an order online on the Bookstore's web page:
The tapes are reproduced on high-quality tape stock, and are available in both VHS and PAL formats. --------------- ADDITIONAL NOTES:
State Departments of Education
To provide the materials to schools at low cost, Project MATHEMATICS! has chosen a unique distribution method. A consortium of 35 states distributes the video cassettes and workbooks to high schools at cost. Schools in the following states can obtain videotapes directly from their State Mathematics Consultant:
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Lousiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
If you cannot receive copies from your state department of education, you can purchase the Project MATHEMATICS! modules from the Caltech Bookstore.
See http://www.projmath.caltech.edu/states.htm for specific information regarding the person, address and telephone of the 35 state department of education contacts regarding the series of videos in the Project MATHEMATICS! Some have a direct e-mail connection by 'clicking' on the person's name on this website.
Repeating the above, in many states you can recieve a copy of our modules either free or for the duplication cost from your State Department of Education, as indicated above. Otherwise, the easiest way to acquire Project modules is to purchase them from the Caltech Bookstore. Order by mail or telephone from:
Caltech Bookstore Mail Code 1-51 Pasadena, CA 91125 Telephone: 1-800-514-BOOK FAX: 626-795-3156
The price of each module (one VHS tape and one workbook) is $34.90 plus postage/handling. Extra workbooks are $4.95 each. For California delivery add 8.25% sales tax. ********************************************
-- Jerry P. Becker Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901-4610 USA Fax: (618) 453-4244 Phone: (618) 453-4241 (office) (618) 457-8903 (home) E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org