Who Exactly Invented Math? - Interesting Engineering

Home » Who Invented Math And Why » Who Exactly Invented Math? - Interesting Engineering

Maybe your like

Skip to contentNEWSVIDEOSENERGYSCIENCEMILITARYHEALTHTRANSPORTATIONSPACEINNOVATIONCULTUREJOBSSHOP
Who Exactly Invented Math?
undrey/iStock

Mathematics is at the center of our modern world, whether we’d like to admit it or not. Behind our smartphones, our cars, our computers, even the weather, math is quietly working to calculate the past, present, and future. Math is a scientific principle that seems to predate even science itself.

When you stop and think about it though, who was the first person to use math? After all, we know famous inventors of specific equations, but what about for math as a concept? This doesn’t seem like too far off of a proposition either given that modern realms of science have founders, like Max Planck, the father of quantum mechanics or Isaac Newton and calculus. So, who invented mathematics?

The Invention of Math 

The origins of mathematics date back to early pre-historic times that were, well, prehistory. That means that we have no proof of the origins of the first use of mathematics, but we can infer. The first peoples on earth would’ve had to deal with principles of number, magnitude, and form on a daily basis. From deciding which berry to eat or which basic task accomplished the most work in the shortest amount of time. 

In a hunter-gatherer culture, you early humans also would’ve had to have dealt with the division of food evenly throughout the community. So there would’ve needed to have been some method of mathematical distribution.

As for actual evidence of these first practices, we have artifacts dating back 20,000 years in Africa that present some of the first conceptual theories of time. 

Geometry was one of the first subsets of mathematics that was likely formed as well. We have evidence dating to the fifth Millenium B.C. demonstrating Egyptian’s knowledge of geometric principles.

The early years of math

For the early years of math, cultures existed largely siloed into their own communities and geographical areas. This meant that each region developed its own means of doing math that slowly evolved to reflect the core principles of the mathematical laws of nature.

Each roughly 6000 years ago can be traced through a lineage of discovering addition, multiplication, and division.

Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies likely made the largest advancements in early mathematics simply due to their age of existence and their overall size and resources.

RELATED: 7 OF THE BEST INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW FOR MATH TEACHERS

More advanced mathematical methods started developing in Greece around 2,500 years ago. These are specific formulas and theorems like the work of Pythagoras or Euclid. 

Most experts in the realm of mathematics agree that around 2,500 years ago was the first time that humanity as a whole saw the foundation of organized science. This means that the world, roughly as one, started working together and sharing knowledge of math and science.

All of the previously siloed work that was being done throughout various other cultures in the millennia prior slowly started to be integrated into one joint collection of knowledge.

It was from this point onward that the question of “who invented math?” can be answered a little better. Not only do we have a firm history of the founders of modern mathematics, but there are also specific people to come up with specific formulas. 

The answer to the question of who invented math is, disappointingly, everyone and no one at the same time. If you’d like to learn about all of the different regions of mathetics. The video below lays them out fairly comprehensively. You’ll note that there are so many subsets of mathematics it’s hard to even grasp who the most prominent mathematicians in modern history are. Take a look.

Recommended Articles

The BlueprintGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTByTrevor English

Trevor is a civil engineer (B.S.) by trade and an accomplished writer with a passion for inspiring everyone with new and exciting technologies. He is also a published children’s book author and the producer for the YouTube channel Concerning Reality.

TRENDINGLATEST
  • 1Bell's new 517 mph-speeding aircraft for DARPA's SPRINT program passes design review
  • 2Terra Innovatum secures nuclear-grade graphite for planned micro-reactor in US
  • 31-ton warheads to equip missiles used in strikes on US and Israel, Iran warns
  • 4Hyundai plans hypersonic missile capable of 5 times the speed of sound for South Korea
  • 5150 years of telephone: How Alexander Graham Bell’s first call changed human history
TRENDINGLATEST
  • 1Bell's new 517 mph-speeding aircraft for DARPA's SPRINT program passes design review
  • 2Terra Innovatum secures nuclear-grade graphite for planned micro-reactor in US
  • 31-ton warheads to equip missiles used in strikes on US and Israel, Iran warns
  • 4Hyundai plans hypersonic missile capable of 5 times the speed of sound for South Korea
  • 5150 years of telephone: How Alexander Graham Bell’s first call changed human history

Check our

Section!

See AllNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonBeyond EarthNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIScienceGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesFront LinesIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsCase StudiesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new testsSpaceThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new testsSubscribe toToday!

Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.

Explore NowNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonBeyond EarthNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIScienceGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesFront LinesIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsCase StudiesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new testsSpaceThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new tests

More from Science

See AllFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScienceFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScienceScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyScienceScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%ScienceUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%China’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networksScienceChina’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networksFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScienceFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScienceScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyScienceScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%ScienceUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%China’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networksScienceChina’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networks

WEAR YOUR GENIUS

IE ShopShop Now

JOBS

See AllIE Media, Inc logoGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobIE Media, Inc logoEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobIE Media, Inc logoGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobIE Media, Inc logoEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee Job

Check our

Section!

See AllNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonBeyond EarthNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIScienceGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesFront LinesIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsCase StudiesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new testsSpaceThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new testsSubscribe toToday!

Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.

Explore NowNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonBeyond EarthNASA resets Artemis, but China could still win the race to the MoonGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIScienceGallium nitride microLEDs could unlock ultra-efficient neuromorphic AIIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesFront LinesIran's missile power and Hormuz disruption raise global energy stakesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsCase StudiesInverse design meets 4D printing in mechanical metamaterialsThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new testsSpaceThe model that built modern cosmology now faces new tests

More from Science

See AllFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScienceFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScienceScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyScienceScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%ScienceUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%China’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networksScienceChina’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networksFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScienceFirst proton beams circulate in US test accelerator built to shape future collidersScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScienceScientists use toxic ‘forever chemicals’ to extract 99% pure battery-grade lithiumScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyScienceScientists reconstruct videos mice watched using brain activity in lab StudyUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%ScienceUS’ breakthrough study reveals electric field can increase heat flow by nearly 300%China’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networksScienceChina’s new quantum dot emitter produces ultra-pure photon pairs for quantum networks

JOBS

See AllIE Media, Inc logoGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobIE Media, Inc logoEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobIE Media, Inc logoGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobIE Media, Inc logoEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobSearch

Premium

moonsun

INNOVATION

  • Science
  • Space
  • Health
  • Transportation
  • All

ENTERTAINMENT

  • Culture
  • Gaming
  • All

GUIDES

  • How to
  • Lists
  • Reviews
  • Career
  • All
MILITARY ENERGY VIDEOS NEWSLETTERS SHOP JOBS IE ACADEMY WEBINARS PHOTO STORY PODCASTS ENGINEERS DIRECTORY About UsSubscriptionContact UsAdvertiseLog inSign up

Follow

Tag » Who Invented Math And Why