Blog Post #6: Babylonian Algebra from Crest of the Peacock

 I have a lot of trouble understanding the ways in which they solved problems when they didn't use algebra. I imagine one way in which they could solve geometrical problems is with symmetry and basic counting, but otherwise struggle really hard to understand their math at all. The way that we were taught math clearly impacts our ability to see problems in different ways. When reading the text about Babylonian algebra, it seems like my brain skips over the method that they used, and solves it in a simpler and faster way before I can even finish reading their method! Isn't that funny! And to be able to actually state or communicate a mathematical principle at that time without algebra? Forget about it! I wish I could answer this question better, but I can't quite wrap my mind around it. Given my complete loss for words and ideas, I am so impressed that they were able to accomplish solving pre-algebraic quadratics through estimates and approximations. This does bring me back to the first class where we talked about the benefits of learning and teaching Math History. Clearly one reason is to learn new ways of thinking and diversify our problem solving skills. I don't doubt that learning new problem solving skills could lead to worldly solutions that we never thought of before :)

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