View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is true about pi, as described by Dunham.
(a) The measurement of pi was redetermined after Archimedes's death.
(b) The measurement of pi is a challenge that continues into modern mathematics.
(c) The measurement of pi is no longer a mystery as we have an exact number value in modern mathematics.
(d) The measurement of pi should not have been so difficult for Archimedes to demonstrate.

2. What do we know in modern times about Heron?
(a) We know he lived in Rome.
(b) We know he was a teacher and philosopher but much of his work has been lost.
(c) We know he was an influencial scholar, but we don't know who his students were.
(d) We know very little, but much of his work survives.

3. "Straight lines in the same plane that will never meet if extended forever" is a definition of what?
(a) Circle.
(b) Intersection.
(c) Parallel lines.
(d) 180 degree angle.

4. Which of the following can not be solved using algebra?
(a) Geometric equation.
(b) Triangulation.
(c) Quintic equation.
(d) Quadratic equation.

5. Who asked Tartaglia for his solution to cubic equations?
(a) Fior,
(b) Cardano.
(c) Fontana.
(d) Pacioli.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Euclid do in his 48th proposition?

2. Which words best describe how solid proofs were developed in Elements?

3. Which of the following best describes Cardano's character?

4. What range of values did Archimedes determine for pi?

5. What allowed Cardano to justify publishing his book?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain when the knowledge of ancient scholars was rediscovered.

2. Explain what Archimedes went on to study after the circle, and what was Dunham's opinion of this work.

3. Describe how Cardano eventually publishes the solution to cubic equations.

4. Describe the ancient city Alexandria and name a few of its third century geniuses.

5. Describe in two sentences Archimedes's method for determining circular area.

6. Describe why Dunham infers that Euclid's Elements was an evolutionary book not so much for what it said, but in how it was presented.

7. What did Dunham claim was Pythagoras's major contribution to geometry, and mathematical reasoning?

8. Describe what work of Euclid's fascinated Plato and his theory on the shape of the Universe.

9. What did Dunham describe in the epilogue of the chapter?

10. How did Heron find the area of a triangle, and what did Dunham state about Heron's work?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 850 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample