History of mathematical notation

The history of mathematical notation[1] includes the commencement, progress, and cultural diffusion of mathematical symbols and the conflict of the methods of notation confronted in a notation's move to popularity or inconspicuousness. Mathematical notation[2] comprises the symbols used to write mathematical equations and formulas. Notation generally implies a set of well-defined representations of quantities and symbols operators.[3] The history includes Hindu–Arabic numerals, letters from the Roman, Greek, Hebrew, and German alphabets, and a host of symbols invented by mathematicians over the past several centuries.

The development of mathematical notation can be divided in stages:[4][5]

  • The "rhetorical" stage is where calculations are performed by words and no symbols are used.[6]
  • The "syncopated" stage is where frequently used operations and quantities are represented by symbolic syntactical abbreviations. During antiquity and the medieval periods, bursts of mathematical creativity were often followed by centuries of stagnation. As the early modern age opened and the worldwide spread of knowledge began, written examples of mathematical developments came to light.
  • The "symbolic" stage is where comprehensive systems of notation supersede rhetoric. Beginning in Italy in the 16th century, new mathematical developments, interacting with new scientific discoveries were made at an increasing pace that continues through the present day. This symbolic system was in use by medieval Indian mathematicians and in Europe since the middle of the 17th century,[7] and has continued to develop in the contemporary era.

The area of study known as the history of mathematics is primarily an investigation into the origin of discoveries in mathematics and the focus here, the investigation into the mathematical methods and notation of the past.

  1. ^ Florian Cajori. A History of Mathematical Notations: Two Volumes in One. Cosimo, Inc., 1 Dec 2011
  2. ^ A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art, Volume 2. Edited by William Thomas Brande, George William Cox. Pg 683
  3. ^ "Notation – from Wolfram MathWorld". Mathworld.wolfram.com. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  4. ^ Diophantos of Alexandria: A Study in the History of Greek Algebra. By Sir Thomas Little Heath. Pg 77.
  5. ^ Mathematics: Its Power and Utility. By Karl J. Smith. Pg 86.
  6. ^ The Commercial Revolution and the Beginnings of Western Mathematics in Renaissance Florence, 1300–1500. Warren Van Egmond. 1976. Page 233.
  7. ^ Solomon Gandz. "The Sources of al-Khowarizmi's Algebra"