The Sumerians developed a complex system of metrology c. 4000 BC. This advanced metrology resulted in the creation of arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. From c. 2600 BC onwards, the Sumerians wrote multiplication tables on clay tablets and dealt with geometrical exercises and division problems. The earliest traces of the Babylonian numerals also date back to this period. The period c. 2700 – 2300 BC saw the first appearance of the abacus, and a table of successive columns which delimited the successive orders of magnitude of their sexagesimal number system. The Sumerians were the first to use a place value numeral system. There is also anecdotal evidence the Sumerians may have used a type of slide rule in astronomical calculations. They were the first to find the area of a triangle and the volume of a cube. COUNT 5
QSN1 What did the Sumerians a complex system of around 4000 BC? ANS1 metrology QSN2 From the Sumerian metrology sprang forth the creation of what disciplines?  ANS2 arithmetic, geometry, and algebra QSN3 Where did the Sumerians put their multiplication tables? ANS3 on clay tablets QSN4 When was the abacus first seen between? ANS4 2700 – 2300 BC QSN5 What were the Sumerians the first to do when it came to mathematics? ANS5 use a place value numeral system