An introduction to counting
Explore this!
Explore the following video entitled “Who Invented Math? | The History of Mathematics with Luc de Brabandère” to learn more about the history of counting that started with the Ishango Bone and ended with the development of the concept of zero.
Discover more
Luc de Brabandère in the video discusses some perspectives regarding the history of mathematics. Use your favourite search engine to research other perspectives that you may want to investigate or explore.
Portfolio
Choose a mathematical concept that you would like to explore and conduct additional research.
- Ishango bone
- counting in Mesopotamia
- Roman numerals
- development of the concept of zero
- origins of counting in a culture of interest to you
Answer the following prompt and submit it to your portfolio for feedback: What is the present-day significance of the mathematical concept you have chosen?
You may wish to consider in two to three paragraphs, where the concept originated, why there was a need for the concept, and how it has developed or evolved over time. What impact has this concept had on the development of mathematics and the world we inhabit?
Mathematical modelling
Mathematics, counting, and the idea of estimation allows us to solve many challenging problems in the real world. Take a piece of paper and fold it into six boxes as shown in the image to the right.
Try It!
Complete the following activity by exploring the video and responding to the questions using your piece of paper.
Explore this!
Access the following video to learn more.
Now, respond to the following prompts by filling in each of the six boxes on your paper.
| 1. What questions do you have after exploring the video for the first time? | 2. What are some answers you know would be wrong after exploring the video for the second time? |
| 3. Make an estimate for how many boxes of cards fit in the container. | 4. What is some important information you need to determine how many boxes of cards fit in the container? |
| 5. Calculate the capacity (volume) of the container and the size (volume) of the card boxes. | 6. How many boxes of cards do you think will fit in the container? Hint: You might need to do some calculating; refer to the following images |
Explore this!
Check out the following video solution to learn more and to know how you did.
Join the discussion
How close were you? What surprised you about the solution (yours and the video)? Share your thoughts and read your classmates response. Notice if any classmates had similar responses.
Make your own!
Portfolio
There are lots of ways that estimations can turn into calculations. Why not try it for yourself? Create an activity similar to the activity you just completed.
- Choose a situation that would be easy for you to take a series of pictures or video, around your classroom or home. For example, how many towels fit in your closet? Or how many books fit on a bookshelf?
- Make a video or series of pictures of this situation.
- Take the measurements you require to model this situation yourself.
- Provide an estimate of your solution, and a calculation of your solution.
- Record your work and submit to your portfolio for feedback.