Question

But the Egyptians were a ____ people, interested in numbers for practical purposes, not for abstract or theoretical reasons. They had to learn how to measure the area of fields, to gauge the rise of the Nile, to estimate supplies for armies and groups of workers. Even so, they were able to accurately calculate π.

a) Theoretical
b) Abstract
c) Practical
d) Mathematical

Answer 1

The Egyptians were practical people who used their mathematical knowledge for pragmatic purposes such as gauging the rise of the Nile and managing their economy, particularly under Ptolemaic rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Egyptians were a practical people, interested in numbers for practical purposes, not for abstract or theoretical reasons. They needed to gauge the rise of the Nile, measure the area of fields, and estimate supplies for armies and workers. Their practical approach to mathematics led to accurately calculating π, and it extended into various areas of their civilization, such as their calendar system and handling complex economic challenges during the Ptolemaic era. The Egyptians utilized their mathematical knowledge pragmatically, as did many other ancient civilizations like the Mesopotamians, who made significant advancements in arithmetic and astronomy that became the basis for much of ancient Mediterranean mathematics.