History of Mathematics MAT240

Development of some central concepts of modern mathematics: Numbers and number systems (Natural numbers, rational numbers, real numbers, cardinal numbers) from Babylon to Europe, the concept of infinity from Zeno to Cantor, integration and derivation (the concept of  limit from Fermat to Weierstrass, Newton's fluctions, the infinitesimals from Leibniz to Robinson), infinite series. Classical algebra, including solutions of cubic and biquadratic equations.


Course description for study year 2022-2023. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts
Course code

MAT240

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Learning outcome

After comleting the course students should have a good general idea of the evolution of some of the major concepts of modern mathematics, such as

(i) numbers and their representations, (ii) derivation and integration, (iii) polynomial equations and their solutions.

Content
Development of some central concepts in modern mathematics: Numbers and number systems (natural numbers, rational numbers, real numbers, cardinal numbers) from Babylon to Europe, infinity from Zeno to Cantor, integration and derivation (the limit concept from Fermat to Weierstrass, Newton's fluctions, the infinitesimals from Leibniz to Robinson), infinite seres. Development of Classical Algebra. Solution of polynomial equations from early times (Rhind papyrus, 1650 BCE) to Abel (1825) and Galois (1830).
Required prerequisite knowledge
None
Recommended prerequisites
MAT100 Mathematical Methods 1
Exam
Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written exam 1/1 4 Hours Letter grades No printed or written materials are allowed. Approved basic calculator allowed

Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator: Alex Bentley Nielsen
Course teacher: Paul Georg Papatzacos
Course teacher: Alexander Ulanovskii
Head of Department: Bjørn Henrik Auestad
Method of work
6 hours per week - lectures and problem solving.
Open for
Biological Chemistry - Biotechnology, Bachelor's Degree Programme Civil Engineering, Bachelor in Engineering Computer Science, Bachelor in Engineering Control Engineering and Circuit Design, Vocational Path, Bachelor in Engineering Control Engineering and Circuit Design, Bachelor in Engineering Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Bachelor in Engineering Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor in Engineering Mathematics and Physics, Bachelor's Degree Programme Petroleum Technology, Bachelor in Engineering Environmental Engineering, Master of Science Degree Programme Industrial economics, Master of Science Degree Programme Industrial Economics, Master of Science Degree Programme, Five Year Industrial Automation and Signal Processing - Master's Degree Programme - 5 year Robot Technology and Signal Processing - Master's Degree Programme Mathematics and Physics, Five Year Integrated Master's Degree Programme Marine and Subsea Technology, Master of Science Degree Programme, Five Years Offshore Technology - Master's Degree Programme Petroleum Engineering, Master of Science Degree Programme Petroleum Engineering, Master of Science Degree Programme, Five Years Technical Societal Safety, Master of Science Degree Programme Mathematics, One-Year Programme
Course assessment
Form and/or discussion
Overlapping courses
Course Reduction (SP)
The History of Mathematics (ÅMA240) 10
Literature
Search for literature in Leganto