Mathematical Problem-Solving Strategies Used by the Ancients

The Ancients (people residing in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, MesoAmerica, China), even before the Greeks, solved some monumental problems. The decisions they made, and the methods they used, were novel. Today, we rely on many of the mathematical methods developed by these cultures. This session will share some of these strategies (which is on full display at Mathema Gallery in Ocean View, north of Brisbane).

Dr. Calvin Irons

Dr. Irons received his doctorate from Indiana University (USA) in 1975 and accepted a position at (now) Queensland University of Technology (QUT). During his 39-year tenure at QUT he conducted two significant research projects, taught over 20,000 students and authored nearly 600 books and articles. His 14-book series titled Mathematics from Many Cultures received the publishing award for education. Recently, Calvin and his wife Rosemary opened the award winning Mathema Gallery. The gallery has been recognized by the American Mathematical Society as one of the top three in the world (there are no other such museums/galleries in the Southern Hemisphere).