Hellenistic Greek mathematics

the antikythera mechanism, ancient mechanical calculator.

archimedes able use infinitesimals in way similar modern integral calculus. using technique dependent on form of proof contradiction give answers problems arbitrary degree of accuracy, while specifying limits within answer lay. technique known method of exhaustion, , employed approximate value of π (pi). in quadrature of parabola, archimedes proved area enclosed parabola , straight line 4/3 times area of triangle equal base , height. expressed solution problem infinite geometric series, sum 4/3. in sand reckoner, archimedes set out calculate number of grains of sand universe contain. in doing so, challenged notion number of grains of sand large counted, devising own counting scheme based on myriad, denoted 10,000.

greek mathematics , astronomy reached rather advanced stage during hellenism, represented scholars such hipparchus, apollonius , ptolemy, point of constructing simple analogue computers such antikythera mechanism.