Introduction to Cultural Mathematics With Case Studies in the Otomies and Incas

by Gilsdorf, Thomas E.

• ISBN13: 9781118115527
• ISBN10: 111811552X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-17
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The topic of cultural mathematics (also called ethnomathematics) is a fascinating topic about the human aspects of mathematics, and it is easy to ask readers to participate in the topic by thinking about mathematics from their own perspectives. This book has two main parts, and Part I consists of several chapters that describe the major concepts of cultural mathematics. The topics include: cultural aspects of mathematics, numeration and number symbols, kinship relations, art and decoration, games and divination, and calendars. Part II includes two chapters consisting of case studies. The cultures studied are the Otomies of central Mexico and the Incas of South America. In these chapters, the concepts from Part I are applied to the particular culture, in order to put all the concepts together in one context. Each chapter concludes with exercises, followed by further notes about the topics discussed in that chapter. Hints and comments about the exercises are also provided at the end of the book. This book is roughly at the level of a reader who has taken college algebra; however, the most important prerequisite is an interest in the connections between mathematics and culture.

Author Biography

Thomas E. Gilsdorf, PhD, is Professor in the Mathematics Department at the University of North Dakota. He has long been interested in topics such as anthropology and languages, and he has traveled to archaeological sites and cultural centers of numerous pre-Hispanic and, indigenous cultures to study mathematics in a cultural context. Dr. Gilsdorf has published and presented research on cultural mathematics, as well as locally convex spaces.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
General Concepts
Understanding the Culture in Mathematics	p. 3
Numeration Systems	p. 24
Number Gestures and Number Symbols	p. 39
Kinship and Social Relations	p. 57
Art and Decoration	p. 73
Divination	p. 103
Games	p. 123
Calendars	p. 142
Case Studies
Hñähñu Math: The Otomies	p. 181
Tawantinsuyu Math: The Incas	p. 211
Hints to Selected Exercises	p. 253
Bibliography	p. 273
Index	p. 281
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