Matematikens historia i undervisningen

The aim of this thesis is to examine how the history of mathematics can be used in teaching and whether pupils’ attitudes to mathematics can be affected by this. In order to do this a school project about the history of mathematics is planned, implemented and analysed. The following questions are addressed: ▪ Why use the history of mathematics in teaching? ▪ How can the history of mathematics be used in teaching? ▪ Can a historical perspective in teaching affect pupils’ views on mathematics? The school curriculum emphasizes the importance of history in teaching. Literature, scientific articles and government inquiries call attention to the positive effects of including a historical perspective in teaching. The school project, which underlies this thesis, is put to practice by 25 pupils in a mathematics science profile class. The outcome is one written and one oral report. A first questionnaire is completed by the pupils before the history project is introduced and a second one after the project work is entirely finished. The result shows positive effects of using the history of mathematics in teaching