Download History of Mathematics and Science

STUDY GRANT PROPOSAL
SUBMITTED SPRING 2007
PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED SUMMER 2008
HISTORY OF THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
CYRUS MALEK, Ph.D.
PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS
COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
[email protected]
972-881-5181
STUDY GRANT PROPOSED STUDY PLAN
SUBMITTED SPRING 2007
PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED SUMMER 2008
MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE HISTORY:
During my lecture in class, I have been asked questions such as “Where are these
formulas coming from?” or “When, and by whom, were these algebra and calculus
concepts developed?” Having graduate degrees in Engineering and Applied Mathematics,
I have always had a great interest in these two fields. All of us are affected by, and moved
by, the great advances that engineering and science have produced over the centuries.
These advances were created by some well-known scientists and engineers who also were
great mathematicians. For that reason, I have developed a great interest in learning more
about the contribution of mathematics to these fields, and the correlation among them.
As a mathematics professor, I know students often wonder how mathematics actually
relates to their lives and the various fields of their interest, particularly those who major
in science and engineering. All students who take calculus hear about Sir Isaac Newton
and his work in a variety of fields such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and
astronomy. He was one of the most distinguished mathematicians and scientists of the
16th century, who developed fundamental theorems in both mathematics and physics. I
would like to concentrate my study on learning more about his life and the history of his
work and accomplishments in these areas.
As a graduate student I have taken courses in both the mathematics and engineering
fields, I regret not having had the opportunity to look at the history of these two fields
and their effects on each other. Due to my teaching assignments and work load during my
ten years of service at CCCCD, I have had little free time to read about these subjects,
thus limiting my knowledge and expertise. By reading appropriate books about the
history of mathematics and science, I can fulfill my desire for learning more about these
topics and broaden my understanding of their correlation.
By having the opportunity to do this study, I would expand my perspectives of my field
of study which ultimately would vastly improve my teaching. Also, in teaching the
Calculus and Accelerated Calculus courses, this study would help me to develop new
research project ideas for my CASMNS (Center for Advanced Studies in Mathematics
and Natural Science) classes. This study would be particularly useful to my students as a
guide line to encourage them to do their own research in their field of interest. The
outcome of this study will help me to be more prepared to answer questions in regard to
the history of mathematics and science and explain how mathematics relates to science
and engineering.
For my reading, I will focus on the following areas and answer the following questions:
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The general history of calculus paralleled with some general history of science,
The discoveries and breakthroughs in calculus history that parallel breakthroughs
in physics and engineering history,
Sir Isaac Newton, his work, significance of his contributions to the field of
applied mathematics and his discoveries and developments in the fields of math
and physics,
The effect of Newton’s discoveries on the course of math and science history.
The reading list for this study is divided into three categories:
a. Math history books to provide a background
b. Science history books used as a reference to find more about Newton’s
discoveries in physics
c. Books about Newton’s discoveries in math.
The references and work plan for reading assignments are as follows:
References:
a. The Saga of Mathematics (A Brief History) by Lewinter and Widulski.
b. A History of Mathematics by Victor J. Katz.
c. A History of Mathematics by Jeff Suzuki.
d. An Introduction to History of Mathematics by Howard Eves.
e. The History of the Calculus and its Conceptual Development by Carl Boyer
f. Isaac Newton: Adventurer in Thought by Rupert Hall, et al.
g. Newton’s Gift: How Sir Isaac Newton Unlock the System of the World by David
Berliski.
h. Never at Rest: A Biography of Isaac Newton by Richard S. Westfall.
Work Plan:
Week of:
Goal:
June 5, 2008
Read the Saga of Mathematics (A Brief Story)
(all chapters)
Read the History of the Calculus and its Conceptual
Development (related chapters)
Read related chapters in the History of Math by Hower
Eves.
Read related chapters in A History of Mathematics by Jeff
Suzuki.
Research and read some physics text about the significance
of the Newton’s discoveries.
Read Isaac Newton: Adventurer in Thought by Rupert Hall,
et al.
Read Newton’s Gift: How Sir Isaac Newton
Unlock the System of the World by David Berliski.
Read Never at Rest: A Biography of Isaac Newton by
Richard S. Westfal and any other articles that I might find.
Summarize the study and writing a conclusion.
June 19, 2008
July 7, 2008
July 10, 2008
July 17, 2008
July 31, 2008
August 7, 2008