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Free course

Egyptian mathematics

Free statement of participation on completion
Egyptian mathematics

The Egyptians are known for being ahead of their time in comparison to some civilisations that came after them. This free course, Egyptian mathematics, looks at how the Egyptians solved mathematical problems in everyday life and the technology they used. An understanding of this area has only been possible following the translation of the Rosetta Stone.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge of how hieroglyphs were used to represent numbers and the nature of the problems that have survived
  • understand that Egyptian calculation was fundamentally additive. Operations such as doubling and halving being used for multiplication and division
  • appreciate the advanced understanding of mathematics in Ancient Egypt in relation to the manipulation of fractions
  • consider some views of the mathematics of Ancient Egypt in relation to that of the Babylonians.

First Published: 10/08/2012

Updated: 10/04/2017

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