Assignment I
1. In the Rhind papyrus, the concept of π is described by:
Take a field of diameter 9; take 1/9 th of the diameter. Square the remainder to find the area.
What value does this give for π ?
2. Use the assumed Babylonian square root algorithm of the notes to show that the square root of 3 is approximately 1;45 by beginning with the value 2. Find a three-sexagesimal-place approximation to the reciprocal of 1;45 and use it to calculate a three-sexagesimal-place approximation to the square root of 3.
3. *Explain in several paragraphs the fundamental differences in the mathematics of the Egyptians and the Babylonians and the possible reasons for the differences.