Introduction

Abstract

The word ‘mathematics’ was coined by Pythagoras, who flourished around 500 bc. It meant ‘a subject of instruction,’ and its first part, ‘math,’ comes from an old Indo-European root that is related to the English word ‘mind.’ The Pythagoreans grouped arithmetic, astronomy, geometry, and music together and for several centuries mathematics referred to only these four subjects. However, as we proceed it will become clear that the study of arithmetic, astronomy, and geometry began long before Pythagoras. In fact, a fair majority of the biggest breakthroughs in mathematics were made possible through the work of people other than those who have been credited in the history books.