When you hear the word math what comes to mind? Maybe numbers and equations, but who is behind them doing solving these problems? Often people think of men doing them. All the big names we know and learn about in math classes are mostly men. How are we supposed to know about all of the woman that have succeeded in mathematics. I did some research on woman and history and focused on just four of them.
One of the famous women mathematicians I researched was named Hypatia. Hypatia was not only a mathematician but was also a philosopher and astronomer. She was mostly known in math for inventing an astrolabe for ship navigation to measure the density of fluids. She also did work on algebraic equations and was credited with commentaries on conics (geometry), arithmetic (number theory), and astronomical table. Hypatia loved teaching and leading lectures but back then it was hard to fulfill her dreams because women were not allowed to do those things.
The next mathematician I researched is named Agnesi. Agnesi was also not just a mathematician. She was also philosopher, theologian, and a humanitarian. I found that she was the first woman to do a few things. She was the first women to write a mathematics handbook and was the first women appointed as a math professor at a university. What Agnesi is best known for is the curve called the which of Agnesi the equation of this curve is y=asqrt(a(x-x))/x. She believed the x-axis was vertical and y-axis was horizontal. Agnes was credited with writing the first book discussing both differential and integral calculus. She really enjoyed math but math didn’t come first for her it was more of just a hobby.
Now we will move on to the mathematician Noether. Being a mathematician was not the only thing she did. She was also into physics. Her work was mostly in abstract algebra and theoretical physics. Some people know her as the most important women on history of mathematics. Noether developed theories od rings, fields, and algebras which are things I got to learn about in my modern algebra class but I never remember her name coming up in class. Noether also created a theorem, which is, know to be one of the most important theorems in abstract algebra.
Lastly I will talk a little about Kovalevsky. She was the first Russian female mathematician and prior to the 20th century was the best mathematician. She got started in math because she use to study her dads old calculus notes when she was younger and grew to love it. She originally contributed to analysis, partial differential equations, and mechanics. She is a writer and advocator of women rights. Kovalevsky really wanted to lead lectures but was not allowed to due to the fact that she was a woman.
Being able to learn about women in class was inspiring. I never get to learn about what all these different women just about the men. The women do things just as important as the men. So as one of my dailies you bet I was doing some research on more about the women in math. The Internet came up with more then I could have ever imagined. I think in math classes we need to talk more about the women in math that way people don’t see a man sitting behind the math problems they can see men and women. This is what I want to make sure I do as a teacher. Making students aware is one of the best things to do.
Being able to learn about women in class was inspiring. I never get to learn about what all these different women just about the men. The women do things just as important as the men. So as one of my dailies you bet I was doing some research on more about the women in math. The Internet came up with more then I could have ever imagined. I think in math classes we need to talk more about the women in math that way people don’t see a man sitting behind the math problems they can see men and women. This is what I want to make sure I do as a teacher. Making students aware is one of the best things to do.