An Eastern graduate student in mathematics will discuss the impact of Mayan culture on modern math in a lecture as part of Latino Heritage Celebration 2002.

Andy Schwartz will discuss how and why the Mayans developed their mathematical system.

The Mayans were some of the first to develop modern mathematical theory and calendar system, a press release stated.

“People discount what other cultures have given to society and this lecture is an opportunity for people to become more aware,” said Isabel Castro, chair of the Latino Heritage Committee.

Schwartz will describe this and how mathematics influenced the culture, a press release stated.

Schwartz will also discuss the Mayan mathematical system compared to math systems such as the Greco-Roman, Arabic and Oriental, the press release stated.

Mayans were also the first to use the unit zero, the press release said, the impact of which Schwartz will discuss.

“There were certain things Mayans discovered that they were not given proper credit for, basically because their culture was destroyed,” Schwartz said in the release.

The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. tonight in the Oakland Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.