What is the origin of the word fraction?
The word fraction comes from the Latin word fractus, meaning broken. This etymology reveals the core concept of the mathematical object as a piece of a whole.
Common questions about Fraction
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did ancient Egyptians use fractions?
The earliest known use of fractions dates back to ancient Egypt around 2000 BC. Scribes developed a unique system to divide grain, land, and beer among the population.
Who invented the horizontal fraction bar?
The horizontal fraction bar first appeared in the work of Al-Hassār, a Muslim mathematician from Fez, Morocco, in the 12th century. This notation was later adopted by Leonardo Fibonacci in the 13th century.
When was the decimal fraction introduced?
Simon Stevin, a Flemish mathematician, published De Thiende in 1585, introducing the concept of decimal fractions to a European audience. This publication created a dilemma regarding the trade-off between precision and convenience.
Who discovered irrational numbers?
The Pythagoreans, followers of the philosopher Pythagoras, believed that all numbers could be expressed as ratios of integers. Hippasus of Metapontum revealed the existence of irrational numbers, which proved otherwise and led to a crisis in Greek mathematics.