[Today’s class: Arithmetic algorithms from various times and places,
continuation of arithmetic with different number systems]
Mathematics 115
Homework Assignment #3
Due Thursday, January 10, 2002
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Prof. Beery's office hours this week:
Wednesday 1/9 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 4-5 p.m.
Thursday 1/10 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 4-5 p.m.
Friday 1/11 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
or by appointment (x3118)
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Read: "Multicultural Mathematics and Alternative Algorithms"
“Building Cultural Bridges between Home and the Mathematics Classroom”
"Algorist versus the Abacist"
"Adam Riese"
"Multiplication Algorithms of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries"
Do: Answer the following questions using the "Multicultural Mathematics and Alternative
Algorithms" article and your class notes.
1. Use the Swiss addition method to add 325 and 597. Show all steps.
2. Use the equal addition method to subtract 729 from 955. Explain.
3. Use the Italian method to subtract 729 from 955. Show all steps.
4. Use the Egyptian doubling method from class to multiply 11 by 19.
(No, it's not in the article!)
5. Use the Mesopotamian square method from class to multiply 79 by 33.
(No, it's not in the article!)
6. Use the Russian peasant algorithm (duplation and mediation) to multiply
729 by 32.
7. Use the boxes and diagonals method from class to multiply 729 by 432.
(No, it's not in the article!)
8. Use the algorithm used by the "American man of Mexican descent" to multiply
58 by 47.
Answer the following questions about the "Algorist versus the Abacist" and "Adam
Riese" essays.
9. What major change occurring between approximately 1100 and 1600 in Europe
did Adam Riese help bring about? What were some of the obstacles to bringing
about this change?
10. What was Adam Riese's profession? Who were his pupils? Who comprised
the audience for his arithmetic textbooks?
For Thursday's class, please bring a pair of scissors.
Thursday's quiz (20 points) will cover your work from class Tuesday and
Wednesday, along with Assignments #2 and #3 (including reading
and problems).