These pieces were written for an Open University course, Topics in the History of Mathematics. Any references to 'SB' are in fact references to the source book for the course, J. Fauvel & J. Gray (eds.) The History of Mathematics (Macmillan/Open University, 1987). References including the course code, MA290, refer to the course materials.

• The Rhind Papyrus explores a typical problem from this ancient Egyptian mathematical text.
• Euclid's Elements looks at a representative problem (VI.13) from this classic work.
• The Mathematical Works of Archimedes of Syracuse provides an overview of the brilliant work of this great mathematician.
• Robert Record gives an outline of the life and works of this early British populariser of mathematics, and provides more detail on a particular problem from his The Ground of Artes.
• Algebra and Geometry examines the changing relationship between these two branches of mathematics in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries.
• Newton's Principia briefly explains the content and context of this massively influential work. Particular attention is paid to Newton's derivation of the equi-area law.
• The Development of the Calculus investigates the extent to which practical considerations influenced the development of this important branch of mathematics.
• Was there a Revolution in Geometry in the Nineteenth Century? argues that the advent of Non-Euclidean geometry was not only revolutionary in itself but caused a wider revolution in all branches of mathematics.