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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The ancient Babylonians are credited with the creation of what calculation tool?
(a) The computer.
(b) The calculator.
(c) The stick-stone.
(d) The abacus.

2. What was the Pythagorean cult’s most sacred symbol because it contained the golden ratio?
(a) The hexagram.
(b) The pentagram.
(c) The diamond.
(d) The sphere.

3. Approximately when did Copernicus live?
(a) 1325-1342.
(b) 1401-1452.
(c) 1473-1543.
(d) 1597-1652.

4. According to the author in Chapter 2, “Nothing Comes of Nothing,” the ratio of zero to any number is what?
(a) 0.
(b) 3.
(c) 1.
(d) ∞.

5. In 1996 and 1997, the USS Yorktown was equipped with a network of how many dual 200 MHz Pentium Pro-based computers running Windows NT 4.0?
(a) 27.
(b) 10.
(c) 14.
(d) 35.

Short Answer Questions

1. The author notes in Chapter 2, “Nothing Comes of Nothing” that the West resisted the concept of zero for how many years?

2. What region in the Middle East is widely considered to be the cradle of civilization?

3. What refers to a system of tribunals developed by the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church during the second half of the 16th Century?

4. What name refers to sutra texts belonging to the Śrauta ritual and containing geometry related to fire-altar construction?

5. The ancient Babylonians had a number system based on what increment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the author claim zero was “born” in Chapter 1, “Nothing Doing”? How was zero involved in early mathematics?

2. How does the author describe the early counting systems of prehistoric mathematics in Chapter 1, “Nothing Doing”?

3. What mathematical properties of zero presented problems in the ancient world, according to the author in Chapter 1, “Nothing Doing”?

4. How did zero enter into Indian mathematics, according to the author in Chapter 3, “Nothing Ventured”?

5. What paradox of Zeno of Elea’s is presented by the author in Chapter 2, “Nothing Comes of Nothing”?

6. What mathematical advancements were made by the ancient Egyptians?

7. How did Aristotle approach the concept of zero, according to the author in Chapter 2, “Nothing Comes of Nothing”?

8. What advancements in mathematics were made by René Descartes?

9. How are multiplication and division involving zero described in Chapter 1, “Nothing Doing”?

10. How does the author assert zero’s existence has been responsible for mathematical progress in Chapter 1, “Nothing Doing”?

(see the answer keys)

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