1. Medieval Europe

2. An Interest
From the 4th to 12th centuries, the only indication of European interest in science and mathematics was the work of very few translators
In the 11th and 12th centuries, a couple Europeans took notice of the work the Arabs were doing and began to collect Arabic manuscripts to start learning

3. Medieval Mathematicians
Fibonacci
Jordanus de Nemore
On the Elements of Arithmetic Arts
First European to use rhetorical algebra
Rabbi Levi ben Gershon
The Art of the Calculator
Contained description of the use of mathematical induction
Nicholas Oresme
Best medieval European mathematician

4. Nicholas Oresme Proved the harmonic series diverges
Introduced the sign “+”
Led a European trend toward a syncopated algebra
Controversial for a long time because he used complete infinities

5. Nicholas Oresme
Aristotle said time was determined by motion; Oresme said time was independent and motion was change over time.
Oresme also rejected Aristotle’s assertion that the earth was stationary

6. European Mathematics Nicolas Chuquet (1450-1490)
Wrote the first algebra text with European style.
Single letter abbreviations for unknowns
Triparty en la science des nombres
unpublished in his lifetime
Robert Recorde ( )
Introduced algebra to English mathematics
Wrote Whetstone of Witte
Gave us the equal sign!!
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7. Works Cited
University of Arizona History of Math course