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==The Early Origins==

While it is clear that early arithmetic developed in early prehistoric periods of human societies, more complex mathematics have developed via many different routes. Perhaps one of the most significant contributors to mathematics was the development of agriculture and cities. With the rise of these two factors, societies increasingly needed to calculate division of property, sharing of resources, accrual of wealth, and track the motion of the planets and stars, which all required more complex mathematical developments.

The Egyptians had also developed by the 3rd millennium BC a base 10 numeration system. By around 1650 BC, Egyptian mathematicians had developed a system of binary numbers, while also being able to determine prime numbers and calculations for arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means (Figure 2).<ref>For information on early Egyptian mathematics and key developments in numerical systems, prime numbers, and means, see: Clagett, Marshall. 1989. Ancient Egyptian Science: A Source Book. Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society, v. 184, 214, 232. Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society.</ref> Both Egyptian and Mesopotamian sources indicate a system for developing fractions and providing their notation. <ref>For information on early fractions, see: Katz, Victor J., and Annette Imhausen, eds. 2007. The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, and Islam: A Sourcebook. Princeton: Princeton University Press.</ref>

[[File:Rhind Mathematical Papyrus.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 2. This is the Rhind papyrus, which enabled insights into Egyptian mathematics and concepts such as binary numbers, prime number, and calculations for arithmetic, geometric and harmonic mean]]