Where did the 'Equals' Sign Come From?

In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions

Welsh contributions to the history of mathematics -Robert Recorde and William Jones.

A look at Welsh influences in the history of mathematics - Robert Recorde, the first mathematician to use the equals sign and the plus and minus signs in English (1577) and William Jones the first to use the pi symbol,π, in 1707.
From: Wales and the History of the World ; Firsts
First broadcast : 03 March 2010

Teachers' notes

Age Group : 9-11, 11-14, 14-16

Subject : History

Topic : History of maths

Keywords : Symbols

Notes : Maths unit - history of Maths; history units - Welsh Mathematicians, Medieval Wales. For further study, see Robert Recorde's Mathematical Inventions

Search for more Learning clips...


BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.