The Greeks learned mathematics through their own developments and also borrowed from the Egyptians and Babylonians.
So let’s look deeper
The Greeks learned mathematics through their own developments, as well as borrowing from other civilizations such as the Egyptians and Babylonians. Their mathematical discoveries and innovations had a huge impact on the development of mathematics as a whole and are still used today.
One famous Greek mathematician is Euclid, who wrote “Elements,” a foundational work in the study of mathematics. In it, he laid out the basic principles of geometry that are still taught in classrooms today. Another famous Greek mathematician is Pythagoras, who is known for the famous Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
In addition to their own innovations, the Greeks also borrowed from other civilizations. The Egyptians had developed a sophisticated system of mathematics based on careful record-keeping and measurements. The Babylonians, on the other hand, were experts in algebraic calculations. The Greeks adopted and improved upon these methods, incorporating them into their own mathematical practices.
Here is a table highlighting some important contributions to mathematics made by the Greeks and other civilizations:
| Civilization | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Egyptians | Developed a system of measurement, including units of length and volume. Also used mathematics in construction and engineering. |
| Babylonians | Developed an advanced system of algebraic calculations, including the use of square roots and fractions. |
| Greeks | Developed the principles of geometry and the concept of proof. Also made important contributions to algebra and trigonometry. |
As the Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “Mathematics is the science of quantity.” Thanks to the innovations and borrowing practices of the Greeks and other civilizations, we now have a rich, diverse understanding of this science.
Response video to “Where did the Greeks learn mathematics?”
In “The Greek Legacy: How the Ancient Greeks shaped modern mathematics,” the concept of proof is discussed. Ancient Greek mathematicians developed the idea of proof over 2,500 years ago, which established mathematics as a way of understanding and testing the reality of the world. By creating convincing arguments to demonstrate whether something is true or false, the Greeks laid the foundation for modern mathematics. Euclid’s development of proof with basic assumptions called axioms has led to modern mathematical understandings in fields like cryptography and engineering.
I discovered more answers on the internet
Mathematics was developed before the Greeks and in other places on earth independently. It was developed in Babylonia and Egypt (and the ancient Greeks said they initially learned mathematics from the Babylonians and Egyptians) as well as India, China, and elsewhere.
But the Greeks created a mathematics of a different kind. It was formal mathematics with explicit axioms, precise definitions, and proofs that relied on strict logical deduction.
Even now, most mathematics courses before college aren’t formal in that sense.
You also ask if all people have a sense of mathematics. Although some cultures didn’t develop much mathematics, those that had a need for it did. It’s one of those things that’s needed to advance civilization. There seems to be no impediment to creating mathematics.
Also people ask
Thereof, Where did the Greek learn math from? Answer: The Egyptian and Babylonian influence was greatest in Miletus, a city of Ionia in Asia Minor and the birthplace of Greek philosophy, mathematics and science.
Who taught the Greeks math?
The Legacy of Thales, the Father of Greek Mathematics
Thales was the father of Greek mathematics and began the process of deriving theorems from first principles that we still use today. This was only part of his legacy, because he taught many of the mathematicians that would follow him and build upon his theories.
Hereof, Did the Greeks learn math from the Egyptians? The reply will be: From the earliest, the great Greek mathematicians, including Pythagoras (~500 BC), Thales (~530 BC), and Exodus (the teacher of Aristotle) all learned much of their mathematics from Egypt (Mesopotamia, and possibily India) – even the concept of zero.
How did Greek mathematics developed? The astronomical knowledge of Babylonian and Chaldean culture became available to the Greeks who profited by exploiting it systematically. This led to the advance of many Greek mathematical tools, such as the use of a numeral system with 60 as its base, which allowed the Greeks to divide circles into 360 degrees.