The role of history of mathematics in fostering argumentation: Two towers, two birds and a fountain

Paulo Gil (1) , Maria Helena Martinho (2)

1 Escola Básica e Secundária de Pinheiro
2 Universidade do Minho = University of Minho [Braga]

This paper aims at discussing how a context of argumen-tation can be created in the classroom through the development of tasks based on the history of mathematics. These were proposed to a class of 8th grade. Through this experience, we found that students use different types of arguments that show different degrees of formality and kinds of reasoning; express and justify their ideas; and interpret and understand the opinions that are presented to them. The history of mathematics proved to be an enabling tool for mathematics learning, particularly for building a community of mathematical discourse, in which mathematical argumentation is reflected.

Mots clés: History of mathematics; argumentation; Pythagorean theorem

Domaines: Education; Histoire et perspectives sur les mathématiques [math.HO]

Paulo Gil, Maria Helena Martinho. The role of history of mathematics in fostering argumentation: Two towers, two birds and a fountain. CERME 9 - Ninth Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Education; ERME, Feb 2015, Prague, Czech Republic. pp.1817-1824. ⟨hal-01288388⟩