As we investigate aspects of the 5000-year history of mathematics, we will recognize individual accomplishments as well as the context in which they were conceived. Mathematics developed because of the cultural, economic, and religious needs of society. Mathematical thought often flourished at times when societies had enough wealth to support a leisure class or in times of war. It is through this lens that we will study the discoveries of some great mathematicians, focusing on different times in history and emphasizing some amazing men and women whose discoveries advanced knowledge of mathematics in the eras in which they lived.
This course requires no advanced knowledge of mathematics, only a lively curiosity. There will be many hands-on activities throughout. Joan Cohen Jones, instructor, is a retired mathematics professor who has taught a number of OLLI classes. This Study Group is for those 50 and over and meets Wednesdays, 10:00am–12:00 pm on October 30 – November 6.