Math Trivia Quiz Questions With Answers
What is Mathematics (Math)?
A: Mathematics is the study of topics such as
quantity (numbers), structure, space, and
change.
Mathematicians seek out patterns and use them
for what?
A: To formulate new conjectures.
How do mathematicians resolve the truth or
falsity of conjectures?
A: By mathematical proof.
When mathematical structures are good models of
real phenomena, then mathematical reasoning can
do what?
A: Provide insight or predictions about nature.
How far back in time has practical mathematics
been a human activity?
A: From as far back as written records exist.
How long does the research required to solve
mathematical problems take?
A: Years or even centuries of sustained inquiry.
Rigorous arguments first appeared where?
A: In Greek mathematics, most notably in
Euclid's Elements.
Mathematics developed at a relatively slow pace
until when?
A: The Renaissance.
Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) referred to
mathematics as what?
A: "The Queen of the Sciences".
What did Benjamin Peirce (1809–1880) call
mathematics?
A: "The science that draws necessary
conclusions".
In addition to recognizing how to count physical
objects, prehistoric peoples may have also
recognized how to do what?
A: Count abstract quantities, like time – days,
seasons, years.
When does evidence for more complex mathematics
appear?
A: Around 3000 BC.
More complex math appeared when the Babylonians
and Egyptians began using arithmetic, algebra
and geometry for what?
A: Taxation and other financial calculations,
for building and construction, and for
astronomy.
What were the earliest uses of mathematics?
A: In trading, land measurement, painting and
weaving patterns and the recording of time.
Where does elementary arithmetic (addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division) first
appears in the archaeological record?
A: In Babylonian mathematics.
Numeracy pre-dated what?
A: Writing.
Who were the first known written numerals
created by?
A: Egyptians in Middle Kingdom.
Between 600 and 300 BC the Ancient Greeks began
what?
A: A systematic study of mathematics in its own
right with Greek mathematics.
How did Aristotle define mathematics?
A: As "the science of quantity", and this
definition prevailed until the 18th century.
Most of the mathematical notation in use today
was not invented until when?
A: The 16th century.
Before that, mathematics was written out how?
A: In words, limiting mathematical discovery.
Euler (1707–1783) was responsible for what?
A: Many of the notations in use today.