- 30000BC
Palaeolithic peoples in central Europe and France record numbers
- n bones.
- 5000BC
A decimal number system is in use in Egypt.
- 4000BC
Babylonian and Egyptian calendars in use.
- 3400BC
The first symbols for numbers, simple straight lines, are used in Egypt.
- 3000BC
The abacus is developed in the Middle East and in areas around the Mediterranean. A somewhat different type of abacus is used in China.
- 3000BC
Hieroglyphic numerals in use in Egypt.
- 3000BC
Babylonians begin to use a sexagesimal number system for recording financial transactions. It is a place-value system without a zero place value.
- 2000BC
Harappans adopt a uniform decimal system of weights and measures.
- 1950BC
Babylonians solve quadratic equations.
- 1900BC
The Moscow papyrus is written. It gives details of Egyptian geometry.
- 1850BC
Babylonians know Pythagoras's Theorem.
- 1800BC
Babylonians use multiplication tables.
- 1750BC
The Babylonians solve linear and quadratic algebraic equations, compile tables of square and cube roots. They use Pythagoras's theorem and use mathematics to extend knowledge of astronomy.
- 1700BC
The Rhind papyrus (sometimes called the Ahmes papyrus) is written. It shows that Egyptian mathematics has developed many techniques to solve problems. Multiplication is based on repeated doubling, and division uses successive halving.
- 1360BC
A decimal number system with no zero starts to be used in China.
- 1000BC
Chinese use counting boards for calculation.
- 540BC
Counting rods used in China.
- 500BC
The Babylonian sexagesimal number system is used to record and predict the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets.
Egyptian Numerals
Egyptian number system is additive.