• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2007

In this paper, we study the symmetry of figures in elementary geometry. First, we investigate the historical and mathematical background of symmetry of figures and we explore the suitable teaching and learning methods for symmetry in elementary geometry. Also we study the major problem of geometry education that occurring in elementary school.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.259-270
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• 2019

Haidao Suanjing was introduced into Joseon by discussion in Yang Hui Suanfa (楊輝算法) which was brought into Joseon in the 15th century. As is well known, the basic mathematical structure of Haidao Suanjing is perfectly illustrated in Yang Hui Suanfa. Since the 17th century, Chinese mathematicians understood the haidao problem by the Western mathematics, namely an application of similar triangles. The purpose of our paper is to investigate the history of the haidao problem in the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon mathematicians mainly conformed to Yang Hui's verifications. As a result of the influx of the Western mathematics of the Qing dynasty for the study of astronomy in the 18th century Joseon, Joseon mathematicians also accepted the Western approach to the problem along with Yang Hui Suanfa.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.333-348
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• 2015

Problem sovling skill is one of the core skills in mathematics education. To improve students' problem solving skill, the project approach or project based learning has been developed and applied. A teaching and learning strategy utilizing 'project' encourages students to understand the problem embedded in the project, find and reflect the solution, which might be effective in improving students' problem solving skill. The present study systematically reviews literature regarding project based learning and analyzes the characteristics of project. The findings from the systematic review illuminate an appropriate approach to apply project based learning in mathematics classrooms.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.303-314
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• 2020

Extending the method of extractions of square and cube roots in Jiuzhang Suanshu, Jia Xian introduced zengcheng kaifangfa in the 11th century. The process of zengcheng kaifangfa is exactly the same with that in Ruffini-Horner method introduced in the 19th century. The latter is based on the synthetic divisions, but zengcheng kaifangfa uses the binomial expansions. Since zengcheng kaifangfa is based on binomial expansions, traditional mathematicians in East Asia could not relate the fact that solutions of polynomial equation p(x) = 0 are determined by the linear factorization of p(x). The purpose of this paper is to reveal the difference between the mathematical structures of zengcheng kaifangfa and Ruffini-Honer method. For this object, we first discuss the reasons for zengcheng kaifangfa having difficulties to connect solutions with linear factors. Furthermore, investigating multiple solutions of equations constructed by tianyuanshu, we show differences between two methods and the structure of word problems in the East Asian mathematics.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2015

The Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) is basically an agricultural country and therefore, the main source of her national revenue is the farmland tax. Thus the farmland tax system becomes the most important state affair. The 4th king Sejong establishes an office for a new law of the tax in 1443 and adopts the farmland tax system in 1444 which is legalized in Gyeongguk Daejeon (1469), the complete code of law of the dynasty. The law was amended in the 19th king Sukjong era. Jo Tae-gu mentioned the new system in his book Juseo Gwan-gyeon (1718) which is also included in Sok Daejeon (1744). Investigating the mathematical structures of the two systems, we show that the systems involve various aspects of mathematics and that the systems are the most precise applications of mathematics in the Joseon dynasty.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.341-351
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• 2017

In the 21st century, the era of artificial intelligence, it is demanded to make a change of the paradigm of education by the recent impact of the 4th industrial revolution. The education up to now has emphasized knowledge, meanwhile the human resources for the future are required to be armed with four C's: critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration capability, rather than being equipped with just knowledge. That is because the future society demands such abilities, especially the creativity of each individual. At this point, we are asked to consider the aim of education and teaching methods. In school education, students are to be respected and considered able to develop their potentials by themselves. They shouldn't be estimated by tests in the process of learning as they are now. We reconsider the aim of education here by taking a look at Whitehead's opinions and the present educational situations.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.145-160
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• 2009

In the end of 20th century, the concept of p-adic invariant q-integral was introduced by Taekyun Kim. The p-adic invariant q-integral is the extension of Jackson's q-integral on complex space. It is also considered as the answer of the question whether the ultra non-archimedian integral exists or not. In this paper, we investigate the background of historical mathematics for the p-adic invariant q-integral on $Z_p$ and the trend of the research in this field at present.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.55-72
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• 2018

Matteo Ricci and Xu Gwangqi translated the first six Books of Euclid's Elements and published it with the title Jihe Yuanben, or Giha Wonbon in Korean in 1607. It was brought into Joseon as a part of Tianxue Chuhan in the late 17th century. Recognizing that Jihe Yuanben deals with universal statements under deductive reasoning, Jo Tae-gu completed his Juseo Gwan-gyeon to associate the traditional mathematics and the deductive inferences in Jihe Yuanben. Since Jo served as a minister of Hojo and head of Gwansang-gam, Jo had a comprehensive understanding of Song-Yuan mathematics, and hence he could successfully achieve his objective, although it is the first treatise of Jihe Yuanben in Joseon. We also show that he extended the results of Jihe Yuanben with his algebraic and geometric reasoning.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2001

We have known that ethno-mathematics is a field of a study that emphasizes the socio-cultural environment in which a person "does" mathematics as stated by D'Ambrosio(Ethno mathematics and its Place in the History and Pedagogy of Mathematics, 1985). Measurement is an important mathematical topic, which leads students to relate math to the eal-world applications, particularly with socio-cultural aspects. The purpose of this article is to review the history of the measurement system in Korea briefly and to adapt the measurement system into real-world problems so that children acquire measurement knowledge in the most natural way.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.271-283
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• 2014

This study takes a look at Polya's analysis on Archimedes' "The Method" from a math-historical perspective. We, based on the elaboration of Polya's analysis, investigate the analytic geometric characteristics of Archimedes' "The Method" and discuss the way of using the characteristics in education of school calculus. So this study brings up the educational need of approach of teaching the definite integral by clearly disclosing the transition from length, area, volume etc into the length as an area function under a curve. And this study suggests the approach of teaching both merit and deficiency of the indivisibles method, and the educational necessity of making students realizing that the strength of analytic geometry lies in overcoming deficiency of the indivisibles method by dealing with the relation of variation and rate of change by means of algebraic expression and graph.