2025年1月13日 · Mathematics - Ancient Egypt, Numbers, Geometry: The introduction of writing in Egypt in the predynastic period (c. 3000 bce) brought with it the formation of a special class of literate professionals, the scribes.

Ancient Egyptian mathematics is the mathematics that was developed and used in Ancient Egypt c. 3000 to c. 300 BCE, from the Old Kingdom of Egypt until roughly the beginning of Hellenistic Egypt. The ancient Egyptians utilized a numeral system for counting and solving written mathematical problems, often involving multiplication and fractions .

Alongside the Babylonians and Indians, the Egyptians are largely responsible for the shape of mathematics as we know it. Their knowledge and techniques passed on to the Greeks, helping the Hellenes to develop their great store of mathematical knowledge.

Two major mathematical documents survive. You can see an example of Egyptian mathematics written on the Rhind papyrus and another papyrus, the Moscow papyrus, with a translation into hieratic script.

In this article, we will delve into the origins of math in ancient Egypt, exploring the surveying techniques that formed the foundation of their mathematical knowledge. We will also examine their number system and calculation techniques, delving into their advancements in volume calculation and fractions.

Mathematics served a practical purpose for the ancient Egyptians. They solved the problems of everyday life and generally didn't formulate and work out problems for their own sake.

Ancient Egypt has left us with impressive remains of an early civilization. These remains also directly and indirectly document the development and use of a mathematical culture—without which, one might argue, other highlights of ancient Egyptian culture would not …