History of Math Timeline Assignment
This assignment is to make a timeline of the history
of either one of the topics listed below or a topic of your
choosing (must be approved by one of the instructors). The goal is to
provide as complete as possible a listing of the major discoveries or
ideas in the mathematical topic you've
chosen and present the listing in an attractive display in Microsoft Word
or other computer software program that can be exported to the web.
Possible topics are: History of e, History of Pi,
History of Complex Numbers, History of the Golden Ratio, History
of the harmonic series, History of
Quadratic Equations, History of Cubic Equations, History of the
Pythagorean Theorem, History of the Fibonacci Sequence, History of the
Circumference of the Earth, History of Fermat's
Last Theorem, History of
Goldbach Conjecture, History of
Zero, History of Negative Numbers, History of Longitude Problem, History of
African-Americans in Mathematics, History of Women in Mathematics,
or other topics which are approved by either Dr. Rhoads or Dr. Sarah.
Your timeline should indicate the major occurrences. You should use
many different sources (to try to get as much information as possible) and
submit a bibliography of all of the sources you used.
Your grade will reflect your effort and the appropriateness of the topic
for your level. Advanced students should choose a topic which requires
significant mathematics background.
Post your timeline
and bibliography
on the WebCT bulletin board by Thursday February 20. Hand
in a paper printout of your timeline and bibliography by
by 5:00 p.m.
to either Dr. Sarah or Dr. Rhoads.