Mathematics has a rich history from cultures around the world, which can extend and enrich the appreciation and learning of mathematical concepts. This book provides inspiration for mathematics educators by exploring the development of mathematical concepts from historical and cultural perspectives. It will also be of interest to general readers with an interest in mathematics.
Each chapter uses original historical material to introduce a mathematical concept that is then explored through new and unusual perspectives. The book presents several new mathematical "discoveries and inventions", and offers a re-interpretation of traditional approaches to a range of mathematical problems, doing so in a rigorous way.
Topics discussed here include numeracy, the abacus, Mesopotamian mathematics, public-key cryptography, Pythagoras' theorem, the holistic nature of trigonometry, and an introduction to integral calculus, among many others. Throughout is reflected the author's enthusiastic style of teaching and his entertaining approach to mathematics, serving to highlight active engagement with significant mathematical problems and hands-on modelling to build deep understanding of the concepts.
Sprache
ISBN-13
978-1-0364-0175-7 (9781036401757)
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Autor*in
Peter Merrotsy taught secondary mathematics in a rural secondary school for eighteen years, during which time he completed a Doctorate of Teaching, researching curriculum for high ability students. In 2004, he was appointed lecturer, and later senior lecturer, of gifted and talented education at the University of New England. In 2013, he became a professor at The University of Western Australia, where he teaches mathematics and conducts research surrounding the education of high ability children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2018, Merrotsy received an Australian Award for University Teaching: Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, "for preparing effective mathematics educators by engaging pre-service teachers within a community of enquiry that explores the learning of mathematics from cultural and historical perspectives." In 2020, he was appointed Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, The University of Western Australia.
