Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPod/iPhone

by The Open University
10

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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Recent Episodes
  • Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:00:50
  • Transcript -- Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines
    Mar 26, 2010 –
  • The sundial as a mathematical model
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:01:33
  • Transcript -- The sundial as a mathematical model
    Mar 26, 2010 –
  • Reading the sky with the astrolabe
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:02:55
  • Transcript -- Reading the sky with the astrolabe
    Mar 26, 2010 –
  • Recording sales in clay tablets
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:02:20
  • Transcript -- Recording sales in clay tablets
    Mar 26, 2010 –
  • Incas and their knots
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:01:17
  • Transcript -- Incas and their knots
    Mar 26, 2010 –
  • Wooden tallies for buying beer
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:01:10
  • Transcript -- Wooden tallies for buying beer
    Mar 26, 2010 –
  • John Napier's mathematical creations
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:03:04
  • Transcript -- John Napier's mathematical creations
    Mar 26, 2010 –
  • Babbage's engine of precision
    Mar 26, 2010 – 00:02:01
  • Transcript -- Babbage's engine of precision
    Mar 26, 2010 –
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