mathematics [plural n., usually treated as singular]

the branch of science concerned with number, quantity, and space, either as abstract ideas [pure mathematics] or as applied to physics, engineering, and other subjects [applied mathematics].
- ORIGIN from Greek mathema ‘science’, from manthanein ‘learn’.

Oxford Dictionaries

Mathematics is one of the core learning areas in all primary and secondary schools along with language. While it can be studied as an individual subject, it is also found in most others through the use of its numbering and measurement systems. It is especially used in Science subjects.

There are multiple pages that can be accessed using either the page number boxes above or the links that follow.

This page looks at Mathematicians, the History of Mathematics, different Mathematical Systems and general information.

The First Page looks at Mathematics - Algebra, Calculus, Fractions, Geometry, Problem Solving, Real Life Mathematics and other special areas.

Mathematics Dictionaries, Glossaries and Ask an Expert topics can now be found on these pages.

Other pages linked to this area include Mathematics Resources while information on several Tertiary Subject Pages may also be of value [Mathematics, Statistics].

Other Information

Famous Mathematical People

• Archimedes
  Eureka ! man, involved in geometry, more. Considered one of the greatest mathematicians ever.
• Babbage, Charles
  First developer/user of a computer.
• Bernoulli, Jacob
  Developed a lot of the ideas on probability, logic, geometry.
• Bhaskara
  Indian mathematician who developed a decimal system.
• Boole, George
  Developer of Boolean logic.
• Descartes, René
  Philosopher, developer of Cartesian geometry.
• Escher, Maurits
  Developed thoughts on order, symmetry through tessellations.
• Euclid of Alexandria
  Among other things, wrote The Elements, a compilation of mathematical knowledge.
• Fibonacci, Leonardo
  Helped introduce Arabic numerals and a place value, decimal system to Europe. Fibonacci numbers.
• Ibrahim, ibn Sinan
  Known for work on geometrical transformations, geometry linked with circles.
• Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm
  First western mathematician to work with binary numbers.
• Napier, John
  Inventor of logarithms.
• Newton, Sir Isaac
  Differential and integral calculus foundations.
• Pascal, Blaise
  Developed the first digital calculator, worked in other scientific areas.
• Pythagoras of Samos
  Considered the First pure Mathematician though little is really known of his own work.
• Picard, Emile
  Made contributions in analytical geometry, differential equations.
• Sridhara
  Indian discoverer of the importance of zero.
• William of Ockham
  Known for mathematical logic centuries before it was further developed.
• Yang Hui
  Used a decimal system in China during the 1200s.
• For a listing of people from around the world, involved in Mathematics since ancient times, go to The MacTutor Biographies of Mathematicians. About 1 400 listed.

Fun with Mathematics

• Abbott & Costello Maths
  Videos from YouTube. They may not be accurate, but they can be fun.
• Cool Maths
  Calculators, games, puzzles, fractals, even lesson plans. You should also check the Cool Maths 4 Kids site which is linked to it and covers a different age group.
• Count Us In Games
  ABC Australia. ‘Each game is designed to help children understand basic concepts in mathematics. All of these games require the Flash 5 Player or higher to work online’. 15 games/concepts covered.
• Curious Math
  Practical tricks to use in mathematics. Also ‘not so practical’ tricks.
• Fun Maths
  Younger students find a lot of mathematical activities that are fun.
• Magic Squares
  Suitable for primary.
• Mathematics Centre
  Brain teasers, puzzles, projects, other activities.
• Mathematics Lessons that are Fun
  Choose from the range provided.
• Maths Comics
  Proves mathematics is not as boring as we thought it was !
• Maths Is Fun
  Several major topic sections, puzzles, illustrated dictionary, much more !
• Maths Projects for Science Fairs
  Introduction and multiple sections of activities. Has links to other aspects of Mathematics from the menu on the right.
• Anagrams
  History, make tangrams, play puzzles, download material, links, puzzles.

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General Sites

• A Guide to Sources of Mathematics
  On the Internet. Links broken into sections. Some will prove useful, others irrelevant in Australian usage.
• A Maths Dictionary for Kids 2012
  ‘A Maths Dictionary for Kids is an animated, interactive online math dictionary for students which explains over 600 common mathematical terms and math words in simple language’.
• APlus Maths
  Interactive site to help children learn about mathematics.
• Brain Teaser Mathematics
  Resources, links, projects, more provided, even links to textbooks.
• ExploreLearning.com
  Fee-based. Provides assistance in several areas. A Free Trial allows you to assess its value.
• Fractal Science Kit
  ‘Provides a rich framework for exploring the world of fractals. It handles the common processing steps required to generate a fractal image so you can concentrate on the fun part; developing the equations, transformations, colouring schemes that define the fractal’. Gallery, tutorials, trial software, more.
• Interactive Mathematics Miscellany & Puzzles
  Animations, resources. Need higher thinking skills to effectively use the activities. Collected puzzles, links also included.
• Johnnie’s Maths Page
  ‘Links to Interactive Math Tools and Activities for Students and Teachers from Kindergarten through Middle School’. 8 main areas included.
• Knot a Braid of Links
  Mathematics is not all figures and symbols. Look at these graphically interesting sites and see why.
• Learning & Teaching Resources
  Victorian Department of Education & Early Childhood Development. Resources for all school levels, as well as elearning, learning diversity, adult education and training.
• Math2.org
  For senior students. Provides functions, equations, formulae in mathematics. Formerly Dave’s Math Tables.
• Mathematics Benchmarks, Grades K-12
  ‘Describes the skills needed for success in postsecondary education and the workplace. The benchmarks are cumulative, describing what students need to learn by the end of high school’. One American viewpoint.
• Mathguide
  Sections for teachers [research, resources, standardised tests, worksheets], students [calculators, lessons, projects, puzzles], special services [other links, materials list, Help Centre, QuickMail]. Worth visiting.
• Math Movies
  ‘Why are people so afraid of mathematics ? How can we apply mathematics thinking to everyday life ? Is mathematics really that important and useful ? Those are some questions we seek to answer with this website’. Main prize-winning Thinkquest site, 2008.
• Maths Mania
  A selection of mathematics activities listed under 4 levels. Australian site that is quite highly regarded.
• +Plus Magazine
  ‘Opens a window to the world of maths, with all its beauty and applications, by providing articles from top mathematicians and science writers on topics as diverse as art, medicine, cosmology, sport’. News, fortnightly newsletter, archive.
• Pure Math 30 Explained !
  ‘Complete online study guide for Pure Math 30 students [in Alberta]. With 34 lessons spanning the entire curriculum, content found here can serve as a supplement to classroom learning or correspondence modules. The lessons and practice exams are free for students and teachers to download and print’.
• Science & Arts Gateway
  ‘Provides links to resources in mathematics and science for educators, students in grades 9-12, although teachers of other levels may find these materials helpful’.
• S.O.S. Maths
  ‘Free resource for maths review material from Algebra to Differential Equations. Study site for high school, university, adult learners’.
• The Internet Mathematics Library
  Grouped under the following : Mathematics Topics, Resources, Mathematics Education Topics.
• The Maths Forum
  Math Resources by Subject - grouped under K-12, College, Advanced, then in directories, e.g. K-12 = Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, etc..
• The Maths Forum Student Centre
  Done in grade levels [US]. Special Interest, Student Centre Highlights, Weekly/Monthly Challenges, Ask Dr Math.
• Maths Pathways
  Annotated links to resources, information, more. Sites from schools to individuals. Directories listed alphabetically.

History of Mathematics

Mathematical history from earliest times to the present.

• A Brief History of Calculus
• Ancient Mathematics
  Dominated by early Greek Mathematics.
• BSHM Education
  ‘To inspire you to use history in the teaching of mathematics, as well as to offer some help in finding the resources and ways of using them in your classroom every day’.
• Earliest Known Use of Some of the Words of Mathematics
• Earliest Use of Various Mathematical Symbols
• History of Calculus
• History of Mathematics
  Chronology, links.
• History of Mathematics [2]
• History of Zero
• Mathematics History
  Thinkquest.
• Maths & Numbers in Early History
• Resources on The History of Mathematics
  ‘Gives some indication of the kind of material that is available on the web, with a few examples in each case, not list it exhaustively’
• The History of Mathematics
  Trinity College Dublin. Specific topics are covered [some are included above]. There is also a listing of links to other sites about mathematical history.
• Zero
  In four dimensions - Cultural, Historical, Mathematical, and Psychological Perspectives. 30 sections, huge bibliography, extensive embedded links.

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Mathematics from Other Countries and Cultures

• Arabic Mathematics
• Babylonian Mathematics
• Egyptian Mathematics
• Greek Mathematics
• Incan Mathematics
• Indian Mathematics
• Jaina Mathematics
• Japanese Mathematics
• Mayan Mathematics

Slide Rules

• Basic Instructions
• Slide Rule Basic Instructions
• Slide Rule Course
  ‘This self-guided course gives numeric examples of the basic calculations that a slide rule can do. Just follow the step-by-step instructions and be amazed by the power and versatility of the venerable Slipstick’.
• Slide Rules
  Nowadays they use calculators. 40 years ago, the slide rule was king !
• Slide Rule Universe
• Patent Application
  Look at an original patent application, with diagrams.

Software. Check the Education Software page for listings of software for this area.

The Abacus

• Abacus
  Etymology, the abacus in different cultures, school abacus. Renaissance abacus, uses by the blind, references, further reading, links. From Wikipedia.
• Abacus Lessons
  Simple, clear explanations, done as a series of lessons.
• Abacus : Mystery of The Bead
  Complete manual. History, techniques, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, revision, negative numbers, care, diversions, references, print manuals. You can even learn Advanced Abacus Techniques here.
  Excellent !
• Chinese Abacus
  Simulations, tutorials.
  Highly Recommended !
• The Abacus
  Detailed information about the Chinese abacus. Still in use in many places.

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