(eds.) Approaches to Algebra. Perspectives for Reasearch and Teaching.

BEDNARZ, Nadine, C. KIERAN & L. LEE

ISBN 10: 0792341457 / ISBN 13: 9780792341451

Published by Kluwer, Dordrecht, 1996

About this Item

Dordrecht, Kluwer (1996). gr.8°. Some figs. XV, 345 p. Hardbound. Mathematics Education Library, volume 18.- Incl. bibliography.

Seller Inventory # 95220

Bibliographic Details

• Title: (eds.) Approaches to Algebra. Perspectives for Reasearch and Teaching.
• Publisher: Kluwer, Dordrecht
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792341457
• ISBN 13: 9780792341451
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Wie neu

About this title

Synopsis

In Greek geometry, there is an arithmetic of magnitudes in which, in terms of numbers, only integers are involved. This theory of measure is limited to exact measure. Operations on magnitudes cannot be actually numerically calculated, except if those magnitudes are exactly measured by a certain unit. The theory of proportions does not have access to such operations. It cannot be seen as an "arithmetic" of ratios. Even if Euclidean geometry is done in a highly theoretical context, its axioms are essentially semantic. This is contrary to Mahoney's second characteristic. This cannot be said of the theory of proportions, which is less semantic. Only synthetic proofs are considered rigorous in Greek geometry. Arithmetic reasoning is also synthetic, going from the known to the unknown. Finally, analysis is an approach to geometrical problems that has some algebraic characteristics and involves a method for solving problems that is different from the arithmetical approach. 3. GEOMETRIC PROOFS OF ALGEBRAIC RULES Until the second half of the 19th century, Euclid's Elements was considered a model of a mathematical theory. This may be one reason why geometry was used by algebraists as a tool to demonstrate the accuracy of rules otherwise given as numerical algorithms. It may also be that geometry was one way to represent general reasoning without involving specific magnitudes. To go a bit deeper into this, here are three geometric proofs of algebraic rules, the frrst by Al-Khwarizmi, the other two by Cardano.