Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPod/iPhone Podcast

Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines - for iPod/iPhone

The Open University

Since the dawn of civilisation, humans have used everyday materials to create mathematical models of the world around them. This album explores the ancient Greeks' astrolabe as a model of the skies; the sundial, to tell the time; Babylonian clay tablets to record wages and trading of sheep; wooden tallies for bulk-buying beer, the Incas' use of knots and string, and the sophisticated number-engine invented by Charles Babbage. This material forms part of The Open University course MST121 Using mathematics.

Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines

Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines

A short introduction to this album.

Mar 26, 2010

50 sec

Transcript -- Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines

Transcript -- Mathematical models: from sundials to number engines

A short introduction to this album.

Mar 26, 2010

The sundial as a mathematical model

The sundial as a mathematical model

An ancient mathematical tool to measure the daily and annual cycles of the earth around the sun.

Mar 26, 2010

1 min

Transcript -- The sundial as a mathematical model

Transcript -- The sundial as a mathematical model

An ancient mathematical tool to measure the daily and annual cycles of the earth around the sun.

Mar 26, 2010

Reading the sky with the astrolabe

Reading the sky with the astrolabe

How the Greeks invented a two dimensional astrolabe as a conceptual model of the cosmos, and how it was used.

Mar 26, 2010

2 min

Transcript -- Reading the sky with the astrolabe

Transcript -- Reading the sky with the astrolabe

How the Greeks invented a two dimensional astrolabe as a conceptual model of the cosmos, and how it was used.

Mar 26, 2010

Recording sales in clay tablets

Recording sales in clay tablets

Clay tokens, an ancient system used to record goods changing hands.

Mar 26, 2010

2 min

Transcript -- Recording sales in clay tablets

Transcript -- Recording sales in clay tablets

Clay tokens, an ancient system used to record goods changing hands.

Mar 26, 2010

Incas and their knots

Incas and their knots

How South American Incas kept records by the use of knots.

Mar 26, 2010

1 min

Transcript -- Incas and their knots

Transcript -- Incas and their knots

How South American Incas kept records by the use of knots.

Mar 26, 2010

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