I love my grad class...
Why I love my class REASON #1. Tonight we talked about the first discovered artifact that signals mathematical thinking. It is called the LeBombo bone and was discovered in 1970 in South Africa. The bone is from a baboon and has 29 distinguishable notches carved into it. Scientists date it back to 35000BC. They also believe that tool might have been created by a woman who was tracking the lunar phases (29 days) in relation to her menstrual cycle. Could it be that women were the first mathematicians?
If you are interested in more information on ancient mathematical artifacts (you know you are...don't deny it!) head to www.wikipedia.com. P.S. Picture is of the 2nd oldest known mathematical artifact.
Why I love my class REASON #2. I swear this quote came out of one of my fellow students' mouths..."Scientist have to play within the realm of reality. If our concept of reality changes, scientist have to change. Mathematicians, on the other hand, can ignore reality completely. Reality does not exist. They can play in Euclidean land forever". I LOVE IT! (Euclidean is the geometry we all learned in high school)
Why I love my class REASON #1. Tonight we talked about the first discovered artifact that signals mathematical thinking. It is called the LeBombo bone and was discovered in 1970 in South Africa. The bone is from a baboon and has 29 distinguishable notches carved into it. Scientists date it back to 35000BC. They also believe that tool might have been created by a woman who was tracking the lunar phases (29 days) in relation to her menstrual cycle. Could it be that women were the first mathematicians?
If you are interested in more information on ancient mathematical artifacts (you know you are...don't deny it!) head to www.wikipedia.com. P.S. Picture is of the 2nd oldest known mathematical artifact.
Why I love my class REASON #2. I swear this quote came out of one of my fellow students' mouths..."Scientist have to play within the realm of reality. If our concept of reality changes, scientist have to change. Mathematicians, on the other hand, can ignore reality completely. Reality does not exist. They can play in Euclidean land forever". I LOVE IT! (Euclidean is the geometry we all learned in high school)
