Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPod/iPhone
By The Open University
To listen to an audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to podcasts.
Description
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.
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines | A short introduction to this album. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
2 |
Transcript -- Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines | Transcript -- A short introduction to this album. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 3 | VideoThe sundial as a mathematical model | An ancient mathematical tool to measure the daily and annual cycles of the earth around the sun. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
4 |
Transcript -- The sundial as a mathematical model | Transcript -- An ancient mathematical tool to measure the daily and annual cycles of the earth around the sun. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 5 | VideoReading the sky with the astrolabe | How the Greeks invented a two dimensional astrolabe as a conceptual model of the cosmos, and how it was used. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
6 |
Transcript -- Reading the sky with the astrolabe | Transcript -- How the Greeks invented a two dimensional astrolabe as a conceptual model of the cosmos, and how it was used. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 7 | VideoRecording sales in clay tablets | Clay tokens, an ancient system used to record goods changing hands. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
8 |
Transcript -- Recording sales in clay tablets | Transcript -- Clay tokens, an ancient system used to record goods changing hands. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 9 | VideoIncas and their knots | How South American Incas kept records by the use of knots. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
10 |
Transcript -- Incas and their knots | Transcript -- How South American Incas kept records by the use of knots. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 11 | VideoWooden tallies for buying beer | How wholesale beer sales were recorded using notches on wooden tallies. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
12 |
Transcript -- Wooden tallies for buying beer | Transcript -- How wholesale beer sales were recorded using notches on wooden tallies. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 13 | VideoJohn Napier's mathematical creations | John Napier's method of multiplication and logarithms, and how Charles Babbage corrected his calculations. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
14 |
Transcript -- John Napier's mathematical creations | Transcript -- John Napier's method of multiplication and logarithms, and how Charles Babbage corrected his calculations. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 15 | VideoBabbage's engine of precision | Charles Babbage's ingenious mechanical device to compute mathematical equations. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
|
16 |
Transcript -- Babbage's engine of precision | Transcript -- Charles Babbage's ingenious mechanical device to compute mathematical equations. | 25 3 2010 | Free | View in iTunes |
| 16 Items |