• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2006

It is regarded as critical to analyse and re-appreciate Euclidean geometry for the sake of improving school geometry This study, a critical analysis of demonstrative plane geometry in current secondary school mathematics with an eye to the viewpoints of 'Elements of Geometry', is conducted with this purpose in mind. Firstly, the 'Elements' is analysed in terms of its educational purpose, concrete contents and approaching method, with a review of the history of its teaching. Secondly, the 'Elemens de Geometrie' by Clairaut and the 'histo-genetic approach' in teaching geometry, mainly the one proposed by Branford, are analysed. Thirdly, the basic assumption, contents and structure of the current textbooks taught in secondary schools are analysed according to the hypothetical construction, ordering and grouping of theorems, presentations of proofs, statements of definitions and exercises. The change of the development of contents over time is also reviewed, with a focus on the proportional relations of geometric figures. Lastly, tile complementary way of integrating the two 'Elements' is explored.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.117-130
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• 2017

Euclid's elements have been recognized as a significant textbook in mathematics and mathematics education because of importance of its contents and methodology. This study discussed how the elements is connected with understanding of math textbooks in elementary school, trying to reveal the value for teacher training. First, when details in elementary textbooks were considered in aspect of elements, the importance of elements was illustrated with the purpose of understanding contents of elementary school by examining educational implications. In addition, the study discussed the value of the elements as the place for teachers and would-be teachers to experience math system.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.367-379
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• 2015

The existence of mathematical objects was considered through diorism which was used in ancient Greece as conditions for the existence of the solution of the problem. Proposition I-22 of Euclid Elements has diorism for the existence of triangle. By discussing the diorism in Elements, ancient Greek mathematician proved the existence of defined object by postulates or theorems. Therefore, the existence of mathematical object is verifiability in the axiom system. From this perspective, construction is the main method to guarantee the existence in the Elements. Furthermore, we suggest some implications about the existence of mathematical objects in school mathematics.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.253-270
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• 2007

by A.C. Clairaut was written based on the historico-genetic principle such as his . In this paper, by analyzing his we can induce six principles that Clairaut adopted to teach algebra: necessity and curiosity as a motive of studying algebra, harmony of discovery and proof, complementarity of generalization and specialization, connection of knowledge to be learned with already known facts, semantic approaches to procedural knowledge of mathematics, reversible approach. These can be considered as strategies for teaching algebra accorded with beginner's mind. Some of them correspond with characteristics of , but the others are unique in the domain of algebra. And by comparing Clairaut's approaches with school algebra, we discuss about some mathematical subjects: setting equations in relation to problem situations, operations and signs of letters, rule of signs in multiplication, solving quadratic equations, and general relationship between roots and coefficients of equations.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.351-364
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• 2003

by A.C. Clairaut is the first geometry textbook based on the historico-genetic principle against the logico-deduction method of Euclid's This paper aims to recognize Clairaut's historico-genetic principle by inquiring into this book and to search for its applications to school mathematics. For this purpose, we induce the following five characteristics that result from his principle and give some suggestions for school geometry in relation to these characteristics respectively : 1. The appearance of geometry is due to the necessity. 2. He approaches to the geometry through solving real-world problems.- the application of mathematics 3. He adopts natural methods for beginners.-the harmony of intuition and logic 4. He makes beginners to grasp the principles. 5. The activity principle is embodied. In addition, we analyze the two useful propositions that may prove these characteristics properly.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.101-114
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• 2006

The content and method of geometry taught in secondary school is rooted in 'Elements' by Euclid. On the other hand, however, there are differences between the content and structure of the current textbook and the 'Elements'. The gaps are resulted from attempts to develop the geometry education. Specially, the content and method for the proportional relations of geometric figures has been varied. In this study, we reviewed the changes of the proportional relations of geometric figures with pedagogical point of view. The conclusion that we came to is that the proportional relations in incommensurable case Is omitted in secondary school. Teacher's understanding about the proportional relations of geometric figures is needed for meaningful geometry education.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.23-32
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• 2004

In this paper, Ive investigated algebraic concepts which are contained in Euclid's Elements. In the Books II, V, and VII∼X of Elements, there are concepts of quadratic equation, ratio, irrational numbers, and so on. We also analyzed them for mathematical meaning with modem symbols and terms. From this, we can find the essence of the genesis of algebra, and the implications for students' mathematization through the experience of the situation where mathematics was made at first.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-139
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• 2017

The construction in the ancient Greek era had more meanings than a construction in the present education. Based on this fact, this study examines the meaning of the current textbook. In contrast, we have extracted the meaning of the constructions in Euclid Elements. In addition, we have been thinking about what benefits can come up if the meaning of the construction in Euclid Elements was reflected in current education, and suggested a way to exploit that advantage. As results, it was confirmed that the construction in the current textbook was merely a means for introducing and understanding the congruent conditions of the triangle. On the other hand, the construction had four meanings in Euclid Elements; Abstract activities that have been validated by the postulates, a mean of demonstrating the existence of figures and obtaining validity for the introduction of auxiliary lines, refraining from intervening in the argument except for the introduction of auxiliary lines, a mean of dealing with numbers and algebra. Finally we discussed the advantages of using the constructions as a means of ensuring the validity of the introduction of the auxiliary line to the argument. And we proposed a viewpoint of construction by intervention of virtual tools for auxiliary lines which can not be constructed with Euclid tool.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.18 no.2 s.19
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• pp.251-263
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• 2004

피타고라스 정리와 코사인 제 2법칙 사이에는 어떤 관계가 있을까. 현재 우리의 교육과정에서는 피타고라스 정리는 중학교 3학년에서 코사인 제 2법칙은 고등학교 1학년에서 배운다. 그런데, 이 두 가지 수학적 사실 사이에는 밀접한 관계가 있다. 피타고라스 정리의 확장으로서 코사인 제 2법칙을 유도할 수 있다는 것이다. 코사인 제2법칙이 소개되어진 최초의 문헌은 Euclid의 <원론>으로 거슬러 올라간다. <원론>에 소개되어진 코사인 제 2법칙의 증명방법으로 시작하여 수 천년 동안 증명되어온 다양한 증명방법을 소개하고자 한다. 특히, 직각삼각형과 원이라는 큰 틀을 바탕으로 코사인 제 2법칙의 증명 방법에 대해 고찰하고, 그 외 다양한 증명방법을 분석하고자 한다.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.173-192
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• 2013

It may be replacement proofs with understanding and explaining geometrical properties that was a remarkable change in school geometry of 2009 revised national curriculum for mathematics. That comes from the difficulties which students have experienced in learning proofs. This study focuses on one of those difficulties which are caused by the forms of proofs: using letters for designating some sides or angles in writing proofs and understanding some long sentences of proofs. To overcome it, this study aims to investigate the applicability of Byrne's method which uses coloured diagrams instead of letters. For this purpose, the proofs of three geometrical properties were taught to middle school students by Byrne's visual method using the original source, dynamic representations, and the teacher's manual drawing, respectively. Consequently, the applicability of Byrne's method was discussed based on its strengths and its weaknesses by analysing the results of students' worksheets and interviews and their teacher's interview. This analysis shows that Byrne's method may be helpful for students' understanding of given geometrical proofs rather than writing proofs.