History of Babylonian Word Problems

I think our interpretations rely on our familiarity with contemporary algebra. When I studied math in Highschool, we used to be introduced basic formulas, expressions, and methods to solve the problem. Once we become familiar with these, we then moved to solve some word problems. Most of the word problems were based on our current real-life situations. For example, there were word problems dealing with car’s speed or measuring the time when the ball hits the ground. It was a good chance to apply what we have learned and try our knowledge into different situations. So, it was not only learning just about the simple algebra but also interpretations with real life situation and students can find some familiarity. 

 On the other hand, there were some students who doesn’t understand the purpose and reason of these kind of word problems as they thought there is no chance that we calculate this in our daily life. 

 

I can relate this idea to Babylonian math history. Gerofsky has mentioned that Babylonian word problems were mainly focused on practical problems that deals with agriculture, commercial, legal and military administration, irrigation, inheritance, the construction of buildings and siege ramps (p5). He also mentioned that ‘Others are very far- fetched in terms of the numbers and dimensions used, the extreme simplification of a potential practical problem, or the nature of the unknown elements and the question posed (p5).’ I think the problem was that there were no math problems that combined both practical and pure math and each thing was just focusing on one type. People who really wanted to learn about math in a practical way would find Babylonian word problems very useful. However, people who wanted to work on pure math might think this is too much focused on practical use. 

 

High schools in BC have three different math classes from grade 10 to 12. There is a math class that focus learning about pre-calculus which will be useful when they are going into university. There is also a math class called foundation math, and workplace math. Each class focuses math on a different way and three classes don’t teach same materials. By doing this way, students can choose and learn math that is related to their interest and future. 

 

Through my own experience, I believe that there are lots of things to learn and get by having and trying word problems. We can apply our concepts and formulas in different situation, and it is good opportunity to check our understanding rather than just solving problem only contains number and expression. Although Babylonian word problems highly focused on vocation training, I think there still exists things that can be learned and applied. 

 

Gerofsky, Susan. A Man Left Albuquerque Heading East: Word Problems as Genre in Mathematics Education. Peter Lang Publishing Incorporated, 2004.