Origins of Mathematics

By Rachel Cortez 8/30/2011

Common Links to Numbers:

Numbers assign value;

Basis for communication;

Basis for trade;

How did counting emerge?

Need based;

Cardinal need “How much do I have?”;

Ordinal need – “Dominance hierarch”

“Who goes first?”;

Need for a record-keeping system Created by tribes who

Had fertile lands;Flourished along major rivers;

Strong centralized government Strong religious life;

Tally System Tribes kept a system that fit their

needs Babylonians used clay tablets;

Paraguayan Tribe (18th Century) used a geometric approach;

The Dammara’s (19th century) traded sticks of tabacco for

cattle;The Inca’s used multi-colored cords or beads still used today by

Bolivian Herdsmen;

Numbers and ReligionHindu’s worship of stars;

Pueblo Indians prepared 8 days for the Snake Dance;

Apache Indians prayed once every 4 days;

Potawatomi Tribe used the number 4 as a marker to light the chief’s pipe

to determine guilt or innocence

Native Americans & MathematicsArtifacts indicate their way of life

but the method of constructed temples;

Geometric shapes fill art work;Patterns are unique to the region;“Mounds” were created for burial,

ceremonial or residential purposes

ETOWAH INDIAN MOUND

Bartow County, Georgia

The Great Serpent Mound Map

Southwest Ohio, about 1,330 feet long and 3 feet high

The Great Serpent Mound

Adams County, Ohio, a few hours from Dayton

Navajo Water Blanket

INCA Wool Blanket

THANK YOU