Question

How might the history of mathematics be important to the way we practice mathematics?

Answer 1

The role of history of mathematics in mathematics education:

We identify the following possible aims for the introduction of the history of mathematics into mathematics education

 to humanise mathematics education by conceiving of it as a historical, social and cultural production, and as a set of social activities which are related to other social activities;

 to help students’ understand the meanings of aims, values, concepts, methods, and proofs in different social practices involving mathematics;

 to develop learners’ feelings of citizenship, contextualising school-based mathematical social practices in a historico-critical point of view and maintaining an open attitude towards the study of mathematical practices in different geopolitical, institutional and chronological contexts.

Others important are listed below-

1 History of mathematics gives us a wide perspective of development of mathematics itself, development of its concepts and problems, connection to the praxis, tendencies for generalization and proving scientific assumptions

2. History of mathematics is a part of general history which tells us how mankind was made to develop mathematics and to use its results

3. History of mathematics is one of the prerequisites for further development of contemporary mathematics

4. It is the basis of scientifi c methodology and one of the most signifi cant sources of the analysis of cognitive processes

5. History of mathematics contributes to improving mathematics teaching

6. History of mathematics is integral part of general human culture.