The Early Mathematical Sciences in North and South America

Jul 9, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo

The introduction traces how early mathematical sciences in North and South America moved from practical necessities of navigation, astronomy, and surveying to a broader pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. It emphasizes that mathematical study was not limited to one region or nationality, highlighting achievements of ancient American civilizations and later efforts by explorers, missionaries, and immigrants from multiple European countries. The text frames this as an aspiration toward higher learning, science, and discovery.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages198

Reading Time8 h 19 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

From practical needs to scientific ambition

Diversity of regions and peoples

European and ancient contributions

UNIVERSAL LIBRARY 119330 人Vdarn TVSd3AINn Fig.1.From the Dresden Codex of the Maya,displayingnumbers.The second column on the left,from ahove down,displaysthe numbers 9,9,16,0,0,which stand for 9×144000+9×72(K)16×360+0+0=1,366,560. The numerals in the third colmn represent 1,364,360.The original appears in black ancl red.See Morley,p.266. An Infroduction to the study of the Maya Hieroqlyplis. The Early Mathematical Sciencesin North and South America ILLUSTRATED BOSTON RICHARD G.BADGER,PUBLISHERTHE GORHAM PRESS CoRXRic 1988 BRiCHARD G.BADGERLi,RIQs. sERYD # INTRODUCTION Small beginnings sometimes command our interest.Theearly years of American colonization were years of adjust-ment to new surroundings.One would expect the mathe-matical sciences to receive attention only in so far as theywere necessary in such an adjustment.The navigator whobrought the immigrant must understand navigation;theremust be a deternination of geographic positions.Indeedpractical astronomy and surveying were necessary arts inthe new world.But very early in American history thecultivation of the mathematical sciences passed beyondimmediate necessities.There was evidence of a desire tocultivate science for its own sake.There was a cravingfor higher things.In true notes a poet sings of man: "He is not bound With earthward gaze to creep along the ground:Though his beginnings be but poor and low,Thank God,a man can grow. The fire upon his altars may burn dim,The torch he lighted may in darkness fail—And nothing to rekindle it avail—But,high above his dull horizon's rimArcturus and the Pleids beckon him!" The beginnings of the mathematical sciences are notconfinedl to any one part of the western continent,nor tothe people of any one nationality. Ancient Americancivilizations that have passed away disclose remarkableachievement.In more recent time,explorers missionaries,and immigrants from Spain,Portugal,Germany and Italyvied with the French and English in planting the first seedsin America for fruitage in science.There are some halfdozen localities,mostly wide apart,which became the centers

FAQs

Why did early colonists focus on the mathematical sciences?

They needed mathematics for navigation, geographic positioning, practical astronomy, and surveying in the new world.

What does the text say about the growth of mathematical study beyond necessity?

It notes evidence of a desire to cultivate science for its own sake, driven by a craving for higher things.

Which peoples and regions are described as contributing to early mathematical science?

Ancient American civilizations are highlighted, and later explorers, missionaries, and immigrants from Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Italy are said to have helped plant early seeds in America.

Jul 9, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo