From Euclid's Elements to the methodology of mathematics. Two ways of viewing mathematical theory

Piotr Błaszczyk

Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis | Studia ad Didacticam Mathematicae Pertinentia (2018)

  • Volume: 10, page 5-15
  • ISSN: 2080-9751

Abstract

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We present two sets of lessons on the history of mathematics designed for prospective teachers: (1) Euclid's Theory of Area, and (2) Euclid's Theory of Similar Figures. They aim to encourage students to think of mathematics by way of analysis of historical texts. Their historical content includes Euclid's Elements, Books I, II, and VI. The mathematical meaning of the discussed propositions is simple enough that we can focus on specific methodological questions, such as (a) what makes a set of propositions a theory, (b) what are the specific objectives of the discussed theories, (c) what are their common features. In spite of many years' experience in teaching Euclid's geometry combined with methodological investigations, we cannot offer any empirical findings on how these lectures have affected the students' views on what a mathematical theory is. Therefore, we can only speculate on the hypothetical impact of these lectures on students.

How to cite

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Piotr Błaszczyk. "From Euclid's Elements to the methodology of mathematics. Two ways of viewing mathematical theory." Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis | Studia ad Didacticam Mathematicae Pertinentia 10 (2018): 5-15. <http://eudml.org/doc/296310>.

@article{PiotrBłaszczyk2018,
abstract = {We present two sets of lessons on the history of mathematics designed for prospective teachers: (1) Euclid's Theory of Area, and (2) Euclid's Theory of Similar Figures. They aim to encourage students to think of mathematics by way of analysis of historical texts. Their historical content includes Euclid's Elements, Books I, II, and VI. The mathematical meaning of the discussed propositions is simple enough that we can focus on specific methodological questions, such as (a) what makes a set of propositions a theory, (b) what are the specific objectives of the discussed theories, (c) what are their common features. In spite of many years' experience in teaching Euclid's geometry combined with methodological investigations, we cannot offer any empirical findings on how these lectures have affected the students' views on what a mathematical theory is. Therefore, we can only speculate on the hypothetical impact of these lectures on students.},
author = {Piotr Błaszczyk},
journal = {Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis | Studia ad Didacticam Mathematicae Pertinentia},
language = {eng},
pages = {5-15},
title = {From Euclid's Elements to the methodology of mathematics. Two ways of viewing mathematical theory},
url = {http://eudml.org/doc/296310},
volume = {10},
year = {2018},
}

TY - JOUR
AU - Piotr Błaszczyk
TI - From Euclid's Elements to the methodology of mathematics. Two ways of viewing mathematical theory
JO - Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis | Studia ad Didacticam Mathematicae Pertinentia
PY - 2018
VL - 10
SP - 5
EP - 15
AB - We present two sets of lessons on the history of mathematics designed for prospective teachers: (1) Euclid's Theory of Area, and (2) Euclid's Theory of Similar Figures. They aim to encourage students to think of mathematics by way of analysis of historical texts. Their historical content includes Euclid's Elements, Books I, II, and VI. The mathematical meaning of the discussed propositions is simple enough that we can focus on specific methodological questions, such as (a) what makes a set of propositions a theory, (b) what are the specific objectives of the discussed theories, (c) what are their common features. In spite of many years' experience in teaching Euclid's geometry combined with methodological investigations, we cannot offer any empirical findings on how these lectures have affected the students' views on what a mathematical theory is. Therefore, we can only speculate on the hypothetical impact of these lectures on students.
LA - eng
UR - http://eudml.org/doc/296310
ER -

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