Journey Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. Write an essay to describe what was known about mathematics and geometry before and in the time of Thales.
Part 1) Describe what we know about geometry before Thales.
Part 2) In what ways were mathematics and geometry used before Thales?
Part 3) Explain what we know about Thales' work. How did it advance mathematics?

2. What was Hippocrates's most famous work as presented by Dunham? What questions about Hippocrates's work were left incomplete until Ferdinand Lindeman's proof? Explain.

3. Summarize the parts of Euclid's Elements. Use the following questions to guide your writing....
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