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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The author states in Chapter 3, “Nothing Ventured” that for the Indians, numerals without geometric significance gave birth to what field of mathematics?
(a) Algebra.
(b) Geometry.
(c) Physics.
(d) Quantum mechanics.

2. Where does the author say early medieval Jews took up residence and discovered that Aristotle’s aversion to zero contradicted Jewish theology in Chapter 3, “Nothing Ventured”?
(a) South America.
(b) Rome.
(c) Muslim Spain.
(d) Ancient Egypt.

3. The author states in Chapter 2, “Nothing Comes of Nothing” that the concepts of infinity and the void frightened the ancient Greeks. They feared the infinite because it threatened the possibility of what?
(a) The Devil.
(b) Time.
(c) God.
(d) Motion.

4. The introduction of nothingness and zero into Jewish theology led in part to what offshoot Jewish mysticism?
(a) Sufism.
(b) Kabbalism.
(c) Orthodoxy.
(d) Hasidism.

5. What was the fifth element that Aristotle proposed, in addition to earth, water, fire, and air?
(a) Aether.
(b) Volume.
(c) Metal.
(d) Sanctities.

Short Answer Questions

1. The ancient Egyptians used math to create what type of calendar?

2. Aristotle referred to Zeno of Elea as the inventor of what?

3. What was the Pythagorean cult’s most sacred symbol because it contained the golden ratio?

4. According to the author in Chapter 2, “Nothing Comes of Nothing,” the Pythagorean view tied numbers to what?

5. How is zero represented in Roman numerals?

(see the answer key)

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