Goals for History of Mathematics
and
Clarifications Regarding the Essay “Mathematics: Art or Science?”
In this course we study mathematical techniques and mathematical ideas from various branches of
mathematics, together with those who developed them: mathematicians!
Why?
First to have a broader view of what Mathematics is, to be able to guide your future students (if
becoming a teacher), if needed, and to see better the connections between Mathematics and its
applications in Sciences.
Second, to understand as teachers what impacts people becoming mathematicians, and their ability to
produce it: their education, social conditions, pure passion etc.
One main, recurring theme is to see how famous mathematicians were helped by special teachers in
elementary school and later in college; so, are geniuses born, or lucky to have a carrying, above-andbeyond educator/friend/family?
When studying the life and work of a Mathematician, please pay attention to, and discuss in your essay,
the following:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Education facts (K-12 and college) and family / social influences
Life events: good and bad (encouraging/helpful and/or obstacles)
His/her motivation to become a mathematician (compare with yours!)
Major contributions and works: what areas of mathematics? How are these correlated with his /
her motivations? Impacted / determined by their jobs?
Applications of his/her mathematics contributions, to sciences (new mathematics models?) and
technology; unless it was “pure math”, beautiful etc. (a form of art, a bit abstract maybe, but
look at Picasso’s paintings or hear some dodecaphonic music and think again :)
Find specific correlations with K-12 Mathematics (e.g. number systems: negatives, fractions,
complex numbers etc.)
Find specific correlations with College Mathematics (e.g. Calculus, Abstract Algebra, Number
Theory etc.); imagine yourself as a teacher having a conversation with a student, e.g. about
Calculus III Surfaces, where you point further to Gausses’ Theorem Egregium (or many other
instances where teaching a math topic allows you to portrait it as a real life event: contribution
of a real person)
Reflect a little bit on your Education, Motivation, Work in Mathematics (only positive thinking!)
So, as a summary for the Quizzes and the Essay, each week be prepared to say a little bit regarding
each of the keywords: Mathematician’s Education, Motivation, Work, Applications, K-12 connections &
College Connections.