The article examines the YBC7289 Babylonian clay tablet from 1700 BC, which demonstrates an early understanding of the square root of 2 through geometric calculations. It explores how Babylonians used base-60 arithmetic and reciprocal tables to perform mathematical operations, highlighting their sophisticated approach to division and multiplication. The discussion reflects on the challenges of interpreting ancient mathematical notations and their relevance to modern algebraic concepts.
Background
Babylonian mathematics used a base-60 system and clay tablets for recording calculations, with advanced techniques for arithmetic and geometry. The YBC7289 tablet is a key artifact demonstrating their understanding of irrational numbers like √2.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Apr 28, 2026 at 10:18 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10