The Mathematics in Architecture

1
The Mathematics in Architecture

• This entire presentation is devoted to how
  mathematics fits in to architecture.

2
History of math in architecture

• In ancient times architecture was a field of
  mathematics.
• Architects were simply mathematicians that
  someone would hire.
• The first time architecture was mentioned in
  text, it was about the Egyptian pyramids.
• There is a Golden number in architecture is
  (1square root of 5)/21.618033989
  (1.618033989)51degrees 50 minutes, the Egyptian
  Pyramids are based on this number. We dont know
  if it was trial and error or if they had already
  discovered the Golden number.

3
The Pythagoras

• The Pythagoras were one of the earliest
  influences on architecture.
• Numbers in their culture had a religious
  significance.
• The Pythagoras took the fundamental music theory
  (that they created) which is the sounds a string
  makes dependent on its length, what this lead to
  was the basic unit length for building
  structures.

4
Where math fits in

• Every building is measured and level which
  involves very basic math,
• In more complex buildings, for an example the
  Eiffel tower, it needed to be a perfect triangle
  and have its special curves at a special angle.
  Also it weighs many tons so it needed to be able
  to support its own weight.
• As you can see there are many different types of
  math needed, which include trigonometry basic
  measurements proportion and complex
  multiplications.

5
Obstacles solved with math

• In Asia there is a building that is very tall and
  was in danger of earthquakes. They decided to put
  a giant pendulum in the tower to keep it from
  tipping or losing its stability.
• Many buildings are aerodynamically designed so
  decrease air drag, so that they dont sway too
  much causing uncomfort or sickness to the people
  in them, or in very serious cases failure of the
  building structure.

6
Modern Architecture

• In the modern era, there is much less calculation
  done by people. It is all done with computer
  programming. It could be as simple to bringing
  the building up to scale, or even to find out how
  many diamond shaped pieces you needs for a
  certain area on the building.
• Computer programming allows us to be much more
  precise in the work that needs to be done, and
  also puts a lot less stress on the designer.

7
Activity

• I will make groups of three or four for this
  activity.
• There are so many building shapes youll be given
  and you have to make the most aerodynamic/structur
  ally secure building you can make.

8
Questions

• What is the angle of the pyramids (among many
  modern buildings). This angle is used to find a
  certain number?
• Why must skyscrapers be aerodynamic?
• What significance did numbers have for the
  Pythagoras?
• Why do we now use computers for architecture as a
  planning tool?

9
Answers

• The angle is 50 degrees and 51 minutes.
• Skyscrapers are aerodynamic to avoid rocking back
  and forth or maybe even structural damage.
• The significance is it represented religious
  beliefs.
• We use computers because its much more precise,
  less time consuming and less room for human
  error.

10
Bibliography

• www.gap.system.org/-history/HistTopics/Architectur
  e.html
• Semptember 8th 2009
• www//plus.math.org/issue42/features/frosters/inde
  x.html
• September 8th 2009
• www.boelgen vejile.dk
• October 5th 2009
• Cache.eb.com/eb/image?id75854rendType4
• October 5th 2009
• www.your-info-hub.com/guitar/ratateimage.php
• October 5th 2009
• www.delhive.comwarminaryan_akshardham-temple_0
• October 5th 2009