Wie heeft de abc-formule uitgevonden en hoe is hij op die formule gekomen?
Esther
Leerling bovenbouw havo-vwo - maandag 21 januari 2002
Antwoord
Volgens onderstaand citaat zijn dat de Babyloniërs geweest.
"The mathematics of the Old Babylonian Period (1800 - 1600 B.C.) was more advanced that that of Egypt. Their "excellent sexagesimal [numeration system]. . . led to a highly developed algebra" [Kline]. They had a general procedure equivalent to solving quadratic equations, although they recognized only one root and that had to be positive. In effect, they had the quadratic formula."