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Decimal System, Zero, and Pi

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Pi was first published in the Sulba Sutra in 600 BCE.
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Pi was first published in the Sulba Sutra in 600 BCE.

Overview
Students will come to learn Indian contributions to key mathematical systems and how important they were to the advancement of civilization.

Time Required
One class period

Materials
Handout: The Decimal System
Handout: The Importance of Zero
Handout: The Value of Pi

Assessment
Reading comprehension, critical analysis, ability to understand mathematical concepts and their importance to civilization.

Procedure

  1. Give students a math problem to solve using only Roman numerals. Have them do the same problems with the so-called Arabic numerals (for example, MM x II versus 2000 x 2). Discuss the differences.
  2. Hand out and ask students to read The Decimal System and the Importance of Zero.
  3. Why is the decimal system so much easier to use? What is the importance of zero?
  4. Students are familiar with the Seven Wonders of the World.  Ask them to make a list of the seven greatest discoveries of the world.  Do the base-ten numerical system, numerals, and zero belong on the list? Why or why not?
  5. Go through step-by-step the Pi diagram in the Value of Pi handout so your students understand the process in which Pi was discovered.
  6. Discuss the importance of Pi. How can its value be determined? How important is this concept?
  7. Discuss the history of the concept of Pi. How is it still helpful to us today?

Cathy Dwyer | 10:17:10 08:23pm
can you please let me know where the worksheet for decimals, phi and zero have been moved to.
B Sandhu | 03:22:10 11:44am
Decimal System, Zero, and Pi handouts link does not work
Kate Molloy | 02:12:10 01:52pm
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, fix the handout links!
Lauren | 02:02:10 06:22pm
Please fix your dead links. This seems like a wonderful lesson plan for so many of us educators, especially since it is interdisciplinary. Thanks.
Mitch Ost | 01:05:10 01:21pm
All the handout buttons bring you to dead links.
Joe Dines | 11:28:09 06:32pm
The documents that support this lesson are unavailable. I have a request: let me know when they are. Thanks. Joe Dines

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