• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.73-92
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• 2004

The paper surveys various attempts to use the concept of 'fundamental ideas' -Bruner's concept- as a tool for organizing mathematics teaching and research in mathematics education. One of the characteristics of fundamental ideas in mathematics is their correspondence to the history of mathematics; therefore in forming out contents and methods in mathematics education, the history of mathematics may be serve as an interesting aspect. It is demonstrated by the example of mean values.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.529-546
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• 2010

This study aims to analyze and criticize the definition of the similarity concept in mathematical texts by investigating mathematical history. At first, we analyzed the definition of Pythagoras, the definition of Euclid's ${\ll}$Elements${\gg}$, the definition of Clairaut's ${\ll}$Elements of geometry${\gg}$, the postulate of Brkhoff's postulates for plane geometry, the definition of Birkhoff & Beatly의 ${\ll}$Basic Geometry${\gg}$. the definition of SMSG ${\ll}$Geometry${\gg}$. and the definition of the similarity concept in current mathematics texts. Then we criticized the definition of the similarity concept in current mathematics texts based on mathematical history. We critically discussed three issues and gave three suggestions.