Vernacular Tradition, The

Synopsis: Deals largely with the low-level mathematics of the Middle Ages and its application to problems of commerce and everyday life. Renaissance notational styles are compared by looking at the works of Luca Pacioli and Nicholas Chuquet. Each of these works were compendiums of basic mathematical knowledge which themselves derive from the work of Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci. Leonardo’s ‘Liber Abaci’ was the first in Europe to promote calculation methods using the Hindu-Arabic numerals. Illustrates a problem-solving method known as double false position, which could be used to solve algebraic-type problems without any knowledge of algebra. These methods owe their inspiration to a work by an Islamic mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi. Shows his method of solving quadratic equations. Concludes by showing how the Hindu-Arabic numeral system developed and was adopted first in the Arabic countries, then later in Europe.
Series: Topics in the History of Mathematics, Course Ma290
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 25 min.
Year of production: 1986
Availability: Out of distribution; 2000 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Notes: Reviewed in ‘Science Books and Films’, Vol 27, No 6 (1991).
Subjects: Mathematics
Keywords: history of mathematics; history of science

Producer

Andrew Barker

Cast

Graham Flegg

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Notes: NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

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