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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To how many decimal places did Newton determine the number for pi?

2. Which name does NOT belong?

3. What was most noticeable about Euler at a young age?

4. What is true about the successive squared denominator series proposed by the Bernoullis?

5. What did mathematicians want to perfect in the mid-19th century?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Gauss's major unpublished achievement in geometry?

2. Describe some of Gauss's work.

3. Describe Cantor's difficult personal life.

4. Explain any methods used by Cantor that were unsuccessful.

5. Describe what mathematical and artistic movements are focused on in the second half of the 19th century.

6. Give an example of a series who's sum is still unknown.

7. Explain how Gottfried Leibniz was able to publish his method of calculus.

8. Describe Newton's days in Cambridge and what he eventually came to discover.

9. What was Euler able to prove about 2²ⁿ + 1? Why was this a great accomplishment?

10. Explain what was the definition of a series before the Bernoullis, and give examples of what was known.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Dunham's book, there were many descriptions of mathematicians and their personal lives. Write an essay to describe the common elements or characteristics that seem to be shared among these historically famous mathematicians. Also, explain what personal characteristics made them all excellent mathematicians.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Dunham presented a number of controversies over publication and intellectual property rights in the history of mathematics. Explain what seems to be the common issues historically in the publication of one's discoveries. Describe what conditions often lead to controversy over intellectual property rights.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample