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- 2002108312 abstract "Presenting mathematical ideas of peoples from a variety of small-scale and traditional cultures, this book humanizes our view of mathematics and expands our conception of what is mathematical. Through engaging examples of how particular societies structure time, reach decisions about the future, make models and maps, systematize relationships, and create intriguing figures, Marcia Ascher demonstrates that traditional cultures have mathematical ideas that are far more substantial and sophisticated than is generally acknowledged. Malagasy divination rituals, for example, rely on complex algebraic algorithms. And some cultures use calendars far more abstract and elegant than our own. Ascher also shows that certain concepts assumed to be universal--that time is a single progression, for instance, or that equality is a static relationship--are not. The Basque notion of equivalence, for example, is a dynamic and temporal one not adequately captured by the familiar equal sign. Other ideas taken to be the exclusive province of professionally trained Western mathematicians are, in fact, shared by people in many societies. The ideas discussed come from geographically varied cultures, including the Borana and Malagasy of Africa, the Tongans and Marshall Islanders of Oceania, the Tamil of South India, the Basques of Western Europe, and the Balinese and Kodi of Indonesia.".
- 2002108312 contributor B9254780.
- 2002108312 created "c2002.".
- 2002108312 date "2002".
- 2002108312 date "c2002.".
- 2002108312 dateCopyrighted "c2002.".
- 2002108312 description "Includes bibliographical references and index.".
- 2002108312 description "Presenting mathematical ideas of peoples from a variety of small-scale and traditional cultures, this book humanizes our view of mathematics and expands our conception of what is mathematical. Through engaging examples of how particular societies structure time, reach decisions about the future, make models and maps, systematize relationships, and create intriguing figures, Marcia Ascher demonstrates that traditional cultures have mathematical ideas that are far more substantial and sophisticated than is generally acknowledged. Malagasy divination rituals, for example, rely on complex algebraic algorithms. And some cultures use calendars far more abstract and elegant than our own. Ascher also shows that certain concepts assumed to be universal--that time is a single progression, for instance, or that equality is a static relationship--are not. The Basque notion of equivalence, for example, is a dynamic and temporal one not adequately captured by the familiar equal sign. Other ideas taken to be the exclusive province of professionally trained Western mathematicians are, in fact, shared by people in many societies. The ideas discussed come from geographically varied cultures, including the Borana and Malagasy of Africa, the Tongans and Marshall Islanders of Oceania, the Tamil of South India, the Basques of Western Europe, and the Balinese and Kodi of Indonesia.".
- 2002108312 description "The logic of divination -- Marking time -- Cycles of time -- Models and maps -- Systems of relationships -- Figures on the threshold -- Epilogue.".
- 2002108312 extent "x, 207 p. :".
- 2002108312 identifier "0691070202 (acid-free paper)".
- 2002108312 identifier 2002108312-d.html.
- 2002108312 identifier 2002108312.html.
- 2002108312 issued "2002".
- 2002108312 issued "c2002.".
- 2002108312 language "eng".
- 2002108312 publisher "Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press,".
- 2002108312 subject "Mathematics History.".
- 2002108312 subject "QA21 .A83 2002".
- 2002108312 subject "Social history Mathematics.".
- 2002108312 tableOfContents "The logic of divination -- Marking time -- Cycles of time -- Models and maps -- Systems of relationships -- Figures on the threshold -- Epilogue.".
- 2002108312 title "Mathematics elsewhere : an exploration of ideas across cultures / Marcia Ascher.".
- 2002108312 type "text".