Western mathematical knowledge
develop
The evolution of mathematics can be regarded as the continuous development of abstraction and the extension of subject matter. Eastern and western cultures have also adopted different angles. European civilization developed geometry, and China developed arithmetic. The first abstract concept is probably number (China's arithmetic), and its cognition that two apples and two oranges have something in common is a great breakthrough in human thought. Besides knowing how to calculate the number of actual objects, prehistoric humans also knew how to calculate the number of abstract concepts, such as time-date, season and year. Arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) will naturally occur.
In addition, you need writing or other systems that can record numbers, such as Mu Fu or chips used by the Incas. There are many different counting systems in history.
In ancient times, the main principles in mathematics were the study of astronomy, the rational distribution of land and grain, taxation and trade. Mathematics is formed to understand the relationship between numbers, measure land and predict astronomical events. These needs can be simply summarized as the study of quantity, structure, space and time in mathematics.
basic
Western Europe experienced the Renaissance from ancient Greece to16th century, and elementary mathematics such as elementary algebra and trigonometry were basically complete. But the concept of limit has not yet appeared.
high
/kloc-the emergence of the concept of European variables in the 0/7th century made people begin to study the relationship between the quantity of change and the mutual transformation between graphs. In the process of establishing classical mechanics, the method of combining calculus with geometric accuracy was invented. With the further development of natural science and technology, the fields of set theory, mathematical logic and so on, which are produced for studying the basis of mathematics, have also begun to develop slowly.
Interesting mathematical story: the origin of Arabic numerals
Xiaoming is a child who likes to ask questions. One day, he became interested in the numbers 0-9: Why is it called "Arabic numerals"? So he went to ask his mother, "Since 0-9 is called Arabic numerals, it must have been invented by Arabs, mom?"
Mom shook her head and said, "Arabic numerals were actually invented by Indians." About 1500 years ago, Indians used a special word to represent numbers. There are 10 words, and you can write both strokes. Later, these figures were introduced into Arabia. Arabs think these numbers are simple and practical, so they are widely used in their own countries and spread to Europe. In this way, it gradually became the number we use today. Because Arabs have played a great role in spreading these numbers, people are used to calling them' Arabic numbers'. "
Xiao Ming heard this and said, "So that's it. Mom, can this be called' making a mistake'? " Mom smiled.
Mathematical famous sayings
1. Only with the vigorous development of mathematics can a country show its national strength. The development and perfection of mathematics are closely related to the prosperity of the country. -Napoleon
Any branch of mathematics, no matter how abstract, will be applied to the real world one day. Lobachevsky
3. Half proof is equal to 0. Gauss
Aristotle said, "Thinking begins with doubt and surprise."
5. Pursue that goal in the best time of my life ... The book has been written. It doesn't matter whether modern people read it or future generations read it. It may take a hundred years to get readers. Kepler
Roentgen said, "The first is mathematics, the second is mathematics, and the third is mathematics."
7. Von Newman said: "Mathematical methods permeate and dominate all theoretical branches of natural science. It has increasingly become the main symbol of measuring scientific achievements. "
8. paul long Wan Zhi (legal mathematician) said: "In mathematics teaching, it is beneficial to add history without any harm."
9. Fourier said: "The main goal of mathematics is public interest and the explanation of natural phenomena."
10. Klein (American mathematician) said: "Mathematics is a rational spirit, which enables human thinking to be applied to the most perfect degree."