The History Of Mayan Math Example

The History Of Mayan Math Example The History Of Mayan Math – Term Paper Example Mayans used a sophisticated number system known as Vigesimal. Mayans developed this complex form of mathematics due to the importance of both the calendar and astronomy in their culture. This Mayan system is to base 20 presumably from counting of toes and fingers. This is a bit complex compared to our system as we rely on a system that is only to base 10. The Mayans were able to work with very large numbers using 3 symbols only: a shell shape (representing a zero), a dot- representing one and a bar (representing 5). Just like the system we use today, they also used the place value system to express very large numbers; however they arranged the place values vertically. In the Vigesimal system, the second number is 20 times the numeral while the third place is 400 times the numeral. In our system today, the second number has a value 20 times the numeral. For instance, in the value 22- the first 2 is ten times the second 2. Another important fact to note is borrowing and carrying forwar d is only done when 20 is reached and not 10, as is practiced today. This system did not require too much literacy and was therefore extensively used in marketplaces by the illiterate. Combinations of items like pebbles, cacao beans, sticks and small bones could be used to express the numbers and simple arithmetic operations computed. Despite not knowing the concept of fractions, the Mayans discovered the importance of zero in mathematics at a time when Europe was still suffering with the Roman system that did not have a zero.Mayans put this complex mathematical system into use in astronomy and calendar. Through observations, they studied the stars and sky, keeping track of the movements of stars, planets and the sun. Once they recorded and mastered the movements of the sun and the weather changes that they experienced in each location of the sun, they came up with their seasons. They used this concept in agriculture. They discovered that decrease in the distance between the equator and the sun, symbolized the growing season and the end of a season represented harvesting period.There were two calendars in the Mayan civilization: Tzolkin and Haab. The former comprised 260 days while the latter comprised 365 days. Both calendars comprised of months with 20 days, therefore Tzolkin had 13 months while Haab had 18 months. The moths were numbered from 0 to 19. In the Tzolkin calendar, months were named after their 13 gods while in Haab calendar, months were named after religious and agricultural events. It is speculated that Mayans may have lived in the tropics and may have experienced overhead sun twice each year. They therefore may have measured 260 days and an additional 105 days for them to experience overhead sun.

Chronology of American History From 1726 to 1750

Chronology of American History From 1726 to 1750 1726 Log College at Neshaminy in Bucks County is founded. It will be important in training evangelists who will become involved in the Great Awakening movement that will occur in the 1730s and 1740s.Riots occur in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania colony governor will forcefully put down the riots. 1727 Anglo-Spanish War breaks out. It lasts a little more than one year, with skirmishes mainly in the Carolinas.George II becomes King of England.History of the Five Indian Nations by Dr. Cadwallader Colden is published. It details information about the Iroquois tribes.Benjamin Franklin creates the Junto Club, a group of mostly artisans who are socially progressive. 1728 The first American synagogue is built on Mill Street in New York City.Horses and carriages are banned in Boston Common. It will eventually be called the oldest park in the United States. 1729 North Carolina becomes a royal colony.Benjamin Franklin begins publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette.The Old South Meeting House is built in Boston. It will become a key meeting place for revolutionaries and was where the Boston Tea Party meetings occurred. 1730 North Carolina and South Carolina are confirmed as royal provinces by the British parliament.The city of Baltimore in the Maryland colony is established. It is named after Lord Baltimore.The Philosophical Society is founded in Newport, Rhode Island which has become a vacation destination due to its spa. 1731 The first public library in American colonies is founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and his Junto Club. It is called the Library Company of Philadelphia.The American colonial legislatures are not allowed to place monetary duties on imported slaves according to royal decree. 1732 Georgia becomes a colony out of land from the South Carolina territory when the Charter of 1732 is issued to James Oglethorpe and others.Construction begins on the Pennsylvania State House, better known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.George Washington is born on February 22nd in the Virginia colony.The first Catholic church in the American colonies is founded. It will be the only Catholic church erected before the American Revolution.Benjamin Franklin begins publishing Poor Richards Almanac, which will become a huge success.The Hat Act is passed by parliament, banning hats to be imported from one American colony to another, in an attempt to help London hatmakers. 1733 James Oglethorpe arrives in Georgia with 130 new colonists. He soon founds Savannah.The Molasses Act is passed by parliament setting heavy import duties on molasses, rum, and sugar from Caribbean islands other than those controlled by the British.The New York Weekly Journal begins publication with John Peter Zenger as its editor. 1734 John Peter Zenger is arrested for seditious libel against New York Governor William Cosby.Jonathan Edwards preaches a series of sermons in Northampton, Massachusetts that begins the Great Awakening. 1735 The trial of John Peter Zenger takes place after the newspaper editor spent ten months imprisoned. Andrew Hamilton defends Zenger, who is acquitted, for the statements he published were true, and thus could not be libelous.The first American fire insurance company is founded in Charleston. It will be bankrupt within five years, when half of Charleston is devastated by a fire. 1736 John and Charles Wesley arrive in the Georgia colony at the invitation of James Oglethorpe. They bring the ideas of Methodism to the American colonies. 1737 The first citywide celebration of St. Patricks Day is held in Boston.The Walking Purchase of 1737 occurs in Pennsylvania. William Penns son Thomas employs swift walkers to pace the boundaries of land given by the Delaware Indians. According to their treaty, they are to receive the land a man can walk in a day and a half. The Indians feel that the use of professional walkers is cheating and refuse to leave the land. The colonists enlist the help of the Iroquois Indians in their removal.A border dispute between Massachusetts and New Hampshire begins that will last for over 150 years. 1738 English Methodist evangelist George Whitefield, a key figure in the Great Awakening, arrives in Savannah, Georgia.The New Jersey colony gets its own governor for the first time. Lewis Morris is appointed to the position.John Winthrop, one of the most important scientists in the American colonies, is appointed to the chair of mathematics at Harvard University. 1739 Three uprisings of African-Americans occur in South Carolina resulting in numerous deaths.The War of Jenkins Ear begins between England and Spain. It will last until 1742 and will become part of the larger War of Austrian Succession.The Rocky Mountains are first sighted by French explorers Pierre and Paul Mallet. 1740 The War of Austrian Succession begins in Europe. The colonists will officially join the fight in 1743.James Oglethorpe of the Georgia colony leads troops along with Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek Indians to capture two forts from the Spanish in Florida. However, they will later fail to take St. Augustine.Fifty slaves are hanged in Charleston, South Carolina when their planned revolt is discovered.Famine in Ireland sends many settlers to the Shenandoah Valley area, along with other southern colonies in America. 1741 New Hampshire colony gets its own governor for the first time. The English crown appoints Benning Wentworth to the position. 1742 Benjamin Franklin invents the Franklin Stove, a better and safer way to heat homes.Nathanael Greene, American Revolutionary War General, is born. 1743 The American Philosophical Society is founded in Philadelphia by the Junto Club and Benjamin Franklin. 1744 The American phase of the War of Austrian Succession, called King Georges War, begins.The Six Nations of the Iroquois League grant the English colonies their lands in the northern Ohio territory. They will have to fight the French for this land. 1745 The French fortress of Louisbourg is captured by a combined New England force and fleet during King Georges War.During King Georges War, the French burn the English settlement of Saratoga in the New York colony. 1746 The boundary between Massachusetts colony and Rhode Island colony is officially set by parliament. 1747 The New York Bar Association, the first legal society in the American colonies, is founded. 1748 King Georges War concludes with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. All colonies are restored to their original owners from before the war including Louisbourg. 1749 The Ohio Company is at first granted 200,000 acres of land between the Ohio and Great Kanawha Rivers and the Allegheny Mountains. An additional 500,000 acres is added later in the year.Slavery is allowed in the Georgia Colony. It had been prohibited since the colonys founding in 1732. 1750 The Iron Act is passed by parliament, putting a halt to the growth of the iron-finishing business in the colonies, to help protect the English iron industry. Resource and Further Reading: Schlesinger, Arthur M., editor. The Almanac of American History. Barnes Noble, 2004.