Holy Family 6th Graders Studies Ancient Egyptian Mathematics

One of the most awesome examples of ancient Egyptian math is the Great Pyramid of Giza. And thanks to some manuscripts left behind, students can piece together the math the ancient Egyptians might’ve used when building complex structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Holy Family’s 6th-grade class, studying Egypt and the Great Pyramid and learning about the Pythagorean Theorem, were recently tasked in math to create their own pyramid.

The foundation of Egyptian pyramids is a square base, a shape chosen with precision. Creating these square bases required a deep understanding of geometry. Ancient Egyptian architects used principles similar to the Pythagorean Theorem, often utilizing ropes with knots to ensure right angles and perfect square bases.

Why is it important to learn about the history of mathematics? Well, it can help us gain an appreciation for the ways math has brought humanity together. Some people call math the “universal language” because it can be shared across all cultures regardless of the barriers of different languages and dialects.

Holy Family Catholic School instills Christian values and Catholic principles in students through the Gospel message of Jesus Christ; Faith, Community, Service and Excellence.

Holy Family School, 1301 Rollin St., South Pasadena, (626) 799-4354 or visit school.holyfamily.org.