From zero to infinity, a history of numbers

Semester: Spring 2017
Schedule: Friday 8:30am - 10:00am
Classroom: 
Number of hours: 28

Objective

The concept of number, as well as that of infinity, has been at the heart of human thought since antiquity. The aim of this course is to present the evolution of ideas on these fundamental notions of mathematics over the centuries and to highlight the conceptual difficulties that have accompanied this development. Students will also have the opportunity to discover the importance of the rigour of mathematical proofs and its evolution over time.

Content

Among the many aspects linked to the notion of number, we might mention the concept of proportion among the ancient Greeks, the appearance of the number zéro, prime numbers, imaginary numbers, transcendental numbers, etc.
We will also analyse the concept of infinity, from the paradoxes of Zénon d'Elée (5th century BC) to the revolutionary work of Cantor (19th century). The detailed programme will be drawn up during the autumn term 2015.

Semester: Spring 2017
Schedule: Friday 10:15am - 12:00pm
Classroom: 
Number of hours: 28

Objective

Spark the student's curiosity by involving them actively through in-depth personal work, oral presentation and critical discussion.

Content

Practical exercises will be offered to ensure that the mathematical concepts of the course are fully assimilated.
In addition, each student will prepare a personal project based on reading texts. Numerous texts (biographies, historical texts, popularisation, critical reflection) can be used to develop certain points of the course and broaden the field.

The course may be taken without the seminar. However, the seminar cannot be taken without the course.

Coursework: knowledge test (writings)
Sessional: oral personal work and writings