The ancients and the approximated calculation: some examples and suggestions for the classroom

Abstract

The idea of using history of mathematics in school practice is becoming more and more popular : Arcavi (1987), Steen (1989) and the French experiences described in Fauvel (1990) offer significant examples on tiiis point. At the same time in many works, such as Freudenthal (1981), Arcavi, Bruckheimer and Ben-Zvi (1982 and 1987), the importance of enhancing the teachers' literacy in the history of mathematics is recognised. We agree with this attitude in mathematics education and in the present paper we offer some hints aimed at an activity which may contribute to the renewing of mathematics teaching and, at the same time, may offer teachers stimuli to reflect on historical development of mathematical ideas.