Yes, Africans have contributed to math through the development of numerical systems, as well as the invention of various mathematical concepts and techniques.
So let us take a closer look at the inquiry
Yes, Africans have made significant contributions to mathematics throughout history. African mathematical achievements were not widely recognized due to cultural and political reasons, including lack of written documentation and biased perspectives of Western historians.
One prominent example of African mathematical contributions is the invention of the numerical system using tally marks by the ancient Egyptians, which served as the basis for later mathematical developments. Additionally, ancient Egyptians developed various mathematical concepts and techniques, such as geometry, which were used in engineering and architecture. As stated by Ivan Van Sertima, an African scholar, “the ‘peopling of Egypt’ took place over a period of tens of thousands of years, the evidence suggests that Africans were the most important of the early inhabitants.”
Egyptians were not the only African group that made significant contributions to mathematics. The Nok culture, which dates back to 1,000 BCE to 300 CE, used complex mathematical principles to create intricate bronze sculptures such as the Nok head. The Yoruba civilization, which developed in present-day Nigeria from the 11th to the 19th century, used fractal geometry in their beadwork to create complex and symmetrical designs.
Here are some interesting facts about African contributions to mathematics:
- The ancient Egyptians used mathematics to build pyramids with precision and accuracy.
- The Nok people used a decimal system and binary system in their metalworking.
- The Yoruba used fractals in their beadwork centuries before the concept was formally introduced to Western mathematics.
- The Bantu people in southern Africa developed a complex mathematical system for their agricultural practices.
- The Ethiopian scholar Zera Yacob made significant contributions to philosophy and mathematics in the 17th century.
To further highlight African contributions to math, here is a table showcasing some of the advancements and individuals who played a role:
| Civilization/Person | Contributions |
|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt | Invented numerical system, developed geometry, used math in pyramid building |
| Nok culture | Used complex mathematical principles in bronze sculpture creation |
| Yoruba civilization | Used fractal geometry in beadwork |
| Bantu people | Developed a complex mathematical system for agriculture |
| Zera Yacob | Contributed to philosophy and mathematics in the 17th century |
It is essential to recognize and highlight the significant contributions of Africans to mathematics and other fields to bring forth a more comprehensive and accurate historical narrative. As stated by Ron Eglash, a professor of African American Studies at the University of Michigan, “African mathematics is sophisticated, deep, and socially grounded in a way that few Westerners understand.”
See a related video
The African origin of mathematics is explored in this video, highlighting its foundation in everyday tasks and its ability to prevent disputes. The oldest known mathematical calculations were found in Africa, with the Ishango bone being an example of a bone used for tattooing or engraving, containing base 12 number systems with sub-bases of 3 and 4. This unique base-12 number system is known to be used in West Africa and is evidence of mathematics, making it the oldest known mathematics in the world. The video concludes with an invitation to join the community and a reminder that “we don’t come from nothing”.
Further responses to your query
Africa is home to the world’s earliest known use of measuring and calculation, confirming the continent as the birthplace of both basic and advanced mathematics. Thousands of years ago, Africans were using numerals, algebra and geometry in daily life.
Despite the best efforts by the writers of our flawed and biased history books, many mathematical artifacts support that Africans are not only major contributors to math but that math originated from the continent of Africa. Mathematical artifacts dated 35,000 BC were found in the mountains between South Africa and Swaziland.
The invention of mathematics is placed firmly in African prehistory. The oldest known possible mathematical object is the Lebombo bone, which was discovered in the Lebombo Mountains of Swaziland and dated to approximately 35,000 B.C. Many of the math concepts that are learned in school today were also developed in Africa.
Nothing shows the brilliance of Africans more than their invention and perfection of counting by Primitive Africans and abstract math (e.g. fractions) by Ancient Africans. Both are universal languages.
Surely only a few of us know that many modern high-school-level concepts in mathematics first were developed in Africa, as was the first method of counting.
The contributions of black Americans throughout our nation’s history are numerous and significant. Today, we want to highlight and celebrate the black mathematicians who have greatly impacted our nation and the future of mathematics.
**** CLARIFICATION ****
This answer was to the original question which simply stated, “Is Math taught in Africa?”
• ****Africa is a big place.
I’m sorry to say this, but this is a very ignorant question.There are parts of deprived parts of every continent that lack schools.
The first recorded civilisation in history was Egypt. That’s in Africa.
The first archeological evidence for Maths homework can be found on clay stones from Egypt.Quick google search gave me this:
16 African Inventions That Changed The World, as we know it today! [ http://www.thatswhatsgoodmedia.com/12-great-african-inventions-changed-world/ ]Take a look at this list:
List of African Nobel Prize Winners [ http://www.cp-africa.com/2012/05/27/list-of-african-nobel-prize-winners/ ]Note the african nobel prize winners in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine. There’s a few aren’t there?
Saying that, most of Africa hasn’t been at the cutting edge of technological advance since the industrial revolution, although t…
In addition, people ask
Secondly, Where did math come from Africa?
Well known as early evidence for mathematical activity in Africa is a bone now dated from about 8000 BCE to 20,000 BCE, dug up at Ishango (Zaire). The bone has what appear to be tallying marks on it, notches carved in groups that have been explained as early lunar phase count or as an arithmetical game of some sort.
Accordingly, What cultures contributed to mathematics?
Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Islamic, and Chinese cultures have contributed to mathematical expressions, formulas, and theories. In return, they have each been solidly impacted by mathematics.
Also Know, Who contributed most to mathematics? Leonhard Euler (1707-1783)
Considered the most prolific mathematician of all time, Leonhard Euler published over 900 works and invented the calculus of variations, including the Euler-Lagrange equation. He was also a pioneer in using analytic methods to solve number theory problems.
Accordingly, Is Africa the cradle of mathematics? Response to this: From the Nok civilizations of West Africa to the Buganda in the East, from the Great Kongo people of central Africa to the Mutapa Empire in the South, Africa is home to the world’s earliest form of mathematical thinking and the first known use of measuring and calculation, confirming the continent as the birthplace of
Keeping this in view, What do we learn about African Mathematics?
When we learn the history of mathematics, we tend to learn about the achievements of Greek, Indian, Chinese and Arabic civilisations. If we learn anything about African mathematics, it’s almost entirely about Egypt.
Simply so, Could the world’s museums bring African Mathematics back to life?
Response will be: If we learn anything about African mathematics, it’s almost entirely about Egypt. But sub-Saharan Africa has a rich mathematical history too – and it is possible that the world’s museums hold the key to bringing it back to life.
Simply so, Who was the first African American to study mathematics?
1886Kelly Millerwas the first African American to study graduate mathematics (Johns Hopkins University), the first American University, to offer a program in graduate mathematics. From 1923 to 1947, 12 Blacks earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics.
When did Africans start using numbers & algebra? Answer will be: Thousands of years ago, Africans were using numerals, algebra and geometry in daily life. This knowledge spread throughout the entire world after a series of migrations out of Africa, beginning around30,000 BC, and later following a series of invasions of Africa by Europeans and Asians (1900 BC-present).
Beside this, What did Africans know about mathematics? Thousands of years ago Africans were using Geometry, Algebra and numerals in their daily life but of course with the European and Asian invaders in Africa, they took what Africans already knew and began to piggy back off the Mathematics already existed.
Could the world’s museums bring African Mathematics back to life? As an answer to this: If we learn anything about African mathematics, it’s almost entirely about Egypt. But sub-Saharan Africa has a rich mathematical history too – and it is possible that the world’s museums hold the key to bringing it back to life.
Who was the first African American to become a mathematician?
1849Charles Reason(1814-1893) was probably the first African American to receive a faculty position in mathematics at a predominantly white institution – Central College in Cortland County, New York. 1862Yale University becomes the first United States of America institution to award a Ph.D. in mathematics.
Then, When did Africans start using numbers & algebra? Thousands of years ago, Africans were using numerals, algebra and geometry in daily life. This knowledge spread throughout the entire world after a series of migrations out of Africa, beginning around30,000 BC, and later following a series of invasions of Africa by Europeans and Asians (1900 BC-present).