HighFour History of Mathematics
Category C: Grades 9 – 10
Round 2
Thursday, October 15, 2015
The use of calculator is not required.
Question #1
This Indian mathematician invented zero as a number, not just as a
symbol. He is one of the earliest to assign the start of each day to
midnight. The first Indian satellite was named in his honor. Who is he?
Question #2
He is traditionally considered as the ‘father of algebra’. He was the first
to use symbols for unknown numbers. He is known to have written the
book Arithmetica. Who is this famous Hellenistic mathematician?
Question #3
“If the sum of n quantities be given, and also the sum of every pair
containing a particular quantity, then this particular quantity is equal to
of the difference between the sums of these pairs and the first given
sum.” This famous rule is also known as “bloom of ___________” or as
the “flower of ___________” The rule is named after the person who
created it. Who is he?
Question #4
What is the name of this number triangle? It is named after a famous
French mathematician and philosopher. Each entry is the sum of the two
entries above it (except for the 1’s at the end of each row).
HighFour History of Mathematics
Category C: Grades 9 – 10
Round 2
Thursday, October 15, 2015
The use of calculator is not required.
Question #5
Who is the famous mathematician that started using ‘x’ to represent
unknown quantities? An ‘italicized’ (x) is often used to avoid potential
confusion with the multiplication symbol.
Question #6
This person invented the first mechanical computer. He originated the
concept of programmable computer. He is considered as the ‘father of
computer’. Who is this English mathematician, philosopher, inventor and
mechanical engineer?
Question #7
This famous Italian poet had also contributed to the theory
of probability by making the following comments, through
his observation of a die game. “With 3 dice, the lowest
number you can get is 3, an ace for every die. Achieving a 4
can be done with 3 die by having two on one die and aces on
the other two dice.” Who is this famous poet?
Question #8
“Set theory is a the branch of mathematics which deals with the formal
properties of sets as units (without regard to the nature of their
individual constituents) and the expression of other branches of
mathematics in terms of sets.” Which famous mathematician founded
the set theory?
Question #9
A geometric series is a series with a constant ratio between successive
terms like ½, ¼, ⅛, etc. Who was the first mathematician to calculate and
use the sum of geometric series?
Question #10
His book “Statistical methods for Research workers” published in 1925
influenced the practical use of statistics in many fields of study. He was
described as “a genius who almost single handedly created the
foundation of modern statistical science.” Who is this genius?
HighFour History of Mathematics
Category C: Grades 9 – 10
Round 2
Thursday, October 15, 2015
The use of calculator is not required.
Question #11
In any triangle, the three points of
intersection of the adjacent angle
trisectors form an equilateral triangle. This
triangle is named after the mathematician
who made this discovery. What is the
name of the triangle?
Question #12
These diagrams play a major role in the fields of
set theory, probability, logic, statistics and
computer science. They are named after the
person who introduced them. An example of such
a diagram is shown. What are they called?
Question #13
What is the full name of the English logician and philosopher who
introduced the diagrams mentioned in Question #12?
Question #14
She was the first African-American woman to gain a PhD in mathematics.
This lady was an American mathematician and educator. What is name
of this famous mathematician?
Question #15
He is famous for his principle,
which is named after him, the
__________ effect. It is the change
in frequency of a wave (or other
periodic event) for an observer
moving relative to its source.
What is the name of this famous Austrian mathematician and physicist?
HighFour History of Mathematics
Category C: Grades 9 – 10
Round 2
Thursday, October 15, 2015
The use of calculator is not required.
Question #16
This famous Greek construction was
believed to follow the proportion of the
golden rectangle. What is its name?
Question #17
The surface area of a sphere is
and volume of a sphere is
.
This Ancient Greek mathematician was believed to be the first to
calculate the surface area and volume of a sphere?
Question #18
The binomial theorem states the following:
(
)
( )
( )
(
)
Who discovered this binomial theorem? This theorem led him to the
development of calculus.
Question #19
He is one of the key figures in scientific revolution. He is credited as the
father of analytical geometry, the bridge between algebra and
geometry. Who is this French philosopher, mathematician and scientist?
Question #20
According to this ancient Greek mathematician geometry, the sum of
the angles of a triangle is two right angles. He is regarded as the ‘father
of geometry’. His book, Elements is one of the most influential books in
the history of mathematics. Who is this greatest mathematician?