The Birth of Mathematics: The Evolution of Numbers and Geometry
Mathematics is one of humanity's oldest and most fundamental disciplines. The world of abstract concepts and numbers helps us unravel the mysteries of the universe and understand the world around us. So what is the origin of this fascinating discipline? How was mathematics born and how has it evolved over time?
Figure 1: Cave paintings (30,000 BC)
The first traces of mathematics can be found in B.C. We can see it in cave paintings dating back to 30,000 years ago. These paintings feature notches and abstract geometric patterns indicating the number of game animals. These simple signs are considered the first steps in counting and abstract thinking.
Picture 2: Mesopotamian clay tablets (3000 BC)
Mesopotamian civilizations have an important place in the history of mathematics. B.C. Around 3000 BC, the Sumerians and Babylonians recorded complex mathematical calculations on clay tablets written in cuneiform script. These tablets show that they had advanced knowledge in areas such as the sexagesimal number system, geometry, trigonometry and algebra.
Figure 3: Egyptian papyri (1650 BC)
Ancient Egypt also played an important role in the development of mathematics. Egyptians used geometry to measure farmland and build pyramids. Works such as the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus (1650 BC) contain information on topics such as fractions, calculating area, and algebraic operations.
Figure 4: Greek mathematics (600 BC)
Mathematics became a systematic discipline with the work of Greek philosophers such as Thales, Pythagoras and Euclid. Thales was the first person to apply geometry to astronomy. Pythagoras discovered the Pythagorean theorem and founded a mathematical sect. Euclid placed geometry on an axiomatic basis in his work "Elements".
Figure 5: Arabic mathematics (900 - 1500 BC)
In the Middle Ages, Arab scientists made significant contributions to the development of mathematics. Algerian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi defined the term algebra and algebraic operations. Persian mathematician Omer Khayyam found the solution of third degree equations in algebra.
Figure 6: Modern mathematics (17th century and later)
- In the 19th century, mathematicians such as Descartes and Fermat developed analytic geometry and the coordinate system. Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz broke new ground in mathematics by discovering calculus. In the 20th century, mathematics showed great development in areas such as abstract algebra, set theory and mathematical logic.
Mathematics is one of the most important products of humanity's intellectual adventure. The world of abstract concepts and numbers helps us unravel the mysteries of the universe and understand the world around us. The birth and evolution of mathematics is a demonstration of human intelligence and curiosity.
Conclusion: Continuous Evolution in Mathematics
Mathematics has developed, evolved and expanded over time with the interaction of different cultures and civilizations. Today, theorems and formulas developed in different branches such as number theory, algebra, geometry and analysis have made mathematics a universal language. Mathematics plays a critical role in understanding and explaining the world, forming the basis of scientific discoveries and technological advances.
The Most Important Mathematicians in History
Mathematics is one of humanity's oldest and most fundamental disciplines. The world of abstract concepts and numbers helps us unravel the mysteries of the universe and understand the world around us. There have been many brilliant mathematicians who have contributed to the advancement of this fascinating discipline. Let's examine the most important of these with visuals:
1. Thales of Miletus (624 BC – 546 BC)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
He is one of the early Greek pioneers of mathematics and philosophy. He made important contributions to geometry. He discovered the theorem known as Thales' theorem, which shows that one angle is equal to two right angles.
2. Pythagoras (569 BC – 475 BC)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
Greek mathematician and philosopher known for the Pythagorean theorem. He played an important role in the development of mathematics as a discipline. He founded a sect called Pythagoreans and gave importance to the mystical and philosophical aspects of mathematics.
3. Euclid (300 BC – 260 BC)Opens in new window
www.britannica.com
He is a Greek mathematician who systematized geometry with his work "Elements". This work has been used as a geometry textbook for more than 2000 years. Euclid gave geometry an axiomatic basis and proved many important geometric theorems.
4. Archimedes (287 BC – 212 BC)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
He is a Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor and astronomer who made important discoveries in many fields such as mathematics, physics, engineering and astronomy. He calculated the value of pi, discovered the principle of leverage, and found the buoyant force of water.
5. Leonardo Fibonacci (1170 – 1250)Opens in new window
it.wikipedia.org
He is an Italian mathematician known for the "Fibonacci sequence" and the "golden ratio". He introduced the knowledge of Arabic mathematics to Europe and discovered the Fibonacci sequence, revealing a recurring pattern in mathematics and nature.
6. René Descartes (1596 – 1650)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
French philosopher and mathematician who developed analytic geometry and the coordinate system. Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am." He is also known for his saying. He made important contributions to mathematics and philosophy.
7. Isaac Newton (1643 – 1727)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
He is an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, theologian and writer who discovered calculus and laid the foundations of classical mechanics. Newton revolutionized physics by discovering the law of universal gravitation and the laws of motion.
8. Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777 – 1855)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
He is a German mathematician, astronomer and physicist known as the "prince of mathematics". He made important contributions in many fields such as algebra, analysis, geometry, differential geometry, astronomy and geodesy.
9. Leonhard Euler (1707 – 1783)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
He is a Swiss mathematician, physicist, astronomer, logician and engineer who made significant contributions to many fields such as mathematics, mechanics, astronomy, optics and cartography. Euler discovered fundamental theorems and equations in many branches of mathematics.
10. Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887 – 1920)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
He was a self-taught Indian mathematician who made important discoveries in mathematics. Ramanujan made significant contributions in fields such as number theory, analysis and combinatorics.
The mathematicians on this list are pioneers who made significant contributions to the development of mathematics and shaped this discipline. Their work has led mathematical scholars.
The Most Important Turkish Mathematicians
Turkish mathematicians have made significant contributions to the development of mathematical science. Turkey, which has trained many brilliant mathematicians throughout history, continues its rich tradition in this field. Here are some of the most important Turkish mathematicians:
1. Muhammad bin Musa al-Khwarizmi (780 - 850)Opens in new window
www.mechanic.com.tr
Muhammad bin Musa al-Khwarezmi
Harezmi, who defined the term "algebra" and algebraic operations and is considered the founder of algebra, produced important works in fields such as mathematics, astronomy and geography. His work "Kitabû'l-Cebr ve'l-Mukabele" formed the basis of the science of algebra.
2. Ali Kuşçu (1403 - 1474)Opens in new window
academyye.org
Ali Kuşçu
Ali Kuşçu, the director of the Ulugh Beg Observatory, produced important works in the fields of astronomy and mathematics. He discovered new theorems in trigonometry and brought the terms "sine" and "cosine" used in trigonometry from Arabic into Turkish.
3. Matrakçı Nasuh (1480 - 1564)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
Matrakçı Nasuh
Matrakçı Nasuh, who produced works in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, geography and medicine in the Ottoman Empire, presented new solutions and problems in his works on mathematics and geometry.
4. Hüseyin Tevfik Pasha (1832 - 1901)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
Huseyin Tevfik Pasha
Hüseyin Tevfik Pasha, who introduced modern mathematics to the Ottoman Empire, wrote textbooks in fields such as differential and integral calculus, analytical geometry and mechanics.
5. Cahit Arf (1910 - 1997)Opens in new window
en.wikipedia.org
Cahit Arf
Cahit Arf, who carried out important studies in the fields of algebraic geometry and algebraic topology, gave his name to mathematical concepts such as "Arf constant" and "Arf curve".
6. Erdal İnönü (1926 - 2007)Opens in new window
www.mfa.gov.tr
Erdal İnönü
7. Ali Nesin (1956 - )Ali Nesin
