Ancient Egptian Mathematical Papyri - Paperback

by Maher Y. Shawer (Author)

This book will explain all the mathematical concepts which the scribes used to solve the problems in all the ancient Egyptian mathematical papyri, both Hieratic and Demotic. Similarities and differences between the different papyri are discussed. The explanation will be in modern-day mathematics. It takes descriptions from the papyri of the problems and how they were solved. The procedure to solve the problem is spelled out, step by step. Instructions were comprised of operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. The last step was the solution, verified using the calculation in the instruction and accompanied by drawings in some cases. The solutions of the scribes were matched with the general mathematical concepts that were actually used to solve the problems. The ancient Egyptians did not state the exact mathematical theorems, propositions, and rules used to solve the problems, and sometimes parts were missing; but this book will show which theorems, propositions, and rules were used to solve the problems and supplies the missing pieces. To make it easy to understand the ancient Egyptian mathematics, we translated the solution of the scribe into modern mathematical format. Some of the same principles used at that time are still being used today. This book will discuss the mathematical knowledge which was given or that which was omitted in the writings from the Hieratic and the Demotic Papyri. It is hoped that this clears the confusion and misunderstanding of the treasure left to us in mathematics by the ancient Egyptians. Hopefully this book will be an encouragement for the reader to search further and explore the mathematical work of the ancient Egyptians, and that this book will be that this new and additional information will surprise you.