MT007/SL266
Ideas in Math: The Grammar of Numbers

In the spring of 1998, Michael Connolly (the chair of the Department of Slavic and Eastern European Languages) and I taught a course called: MT007/SL266 Ideas in Mathematics: The Grammar of Numbers. It had no prerequisites, and was a a core mathematics course for non-math and non-science majors. This one-semester course studied the role of numbers, number names, and number symbols in various cultures. Topics include number mysticism, symbolism in religion and the arts, elementary number theory, number representations, and calendars.
Texts: The Magic Numbers of Doctor Matrix, Martin Gardner.
Number Words and Number Symbols: A Cultural History of Numbers, Karl Menninger.

• Syllabus.
• Brief notes from each class, arranged by month:
  • January.
  • February.
  • March.
  • April.
• Homework Assignments.
• Examinations:
  • Quiz1.
  • Quiz2.
  • Quiz3.
  • Quiz4.
  • Mid-term examination.
  • Final examination.