Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPad/Mac/PC

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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 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.

  1. 03/26/2010

    Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines

    A short introduction to this album.

    1 min

  2. 03/26/2010

    Transcript -- Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines

    Transcript -- A short introduction to this album.

  3. 03/26/2010 · VIDEO

    The sundial as a mathematical model

    An ancient mathematical tool to measure the daily and annual cycles of the earth around the sun.

    2 min

  4. 03/26/2010

    Transcript -- The sundial as a mathematical model

    Transcript -- An ancient mathematical tool to measure the daily and annual cycles of the earth around the sun.

  5. 03/26/2010 · VIDEO

    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.

    3 min

  6. 03/26/2010

    Transcript -- Reading the sky with the astrolabe

    Transcript -- How the Greeks invented a two dimensional astrolabe as a conceptual model of the cosmos, and how it was used.

  7. 03/26/2010 · VIDEO

    Recording sales in clay tablets

    Clay tokens, an ancient system used to record goods changing hands.

    2 min

  8. 03/26/2010

    Transcript -- Recording sales in clay tablets

    Transcript -- Clay tokens, an ancient system used to record goods changing hands.

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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 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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