Once the mathematical system is perfectly established on the basis of a few axioms and original definitions, it constitutes a rock-solid foundation. Then it grows year after year, and finally forms a solid structure that can be proud of human reason.
Mathematics is not only the "queen" of natural science, but also the "servant" of natural science, and has been faithfully serving other sciences. It's all because of her ability.
Because past experience tells us that all scientific problems are simple and orderly in nature. All theorems in physics can be expressed by mathematical formulas. Human wisdom insists on explaining the basic problems of science with simple concepts, and mathematics is a basic method.
The purpose of studying the history of mathematics
1, Understanding of Mathematical Abstraction
Abstraction is a feature of mathematics, which often becomes a difficult point in learning. Here, it is necessary for students to realize the basic process and function of abstraction. Abstraction is not only a high degree of generalization and refinement, but also the more abstract things are, the wider the application scope is.
2. Objectively understand the contributions made by various civilizations in the world.
In 2000 BC, ancient Babylonian mathematics began to develop. And their research on Pythagorean Theorem (Pythagorean Theorem) made amazing achievements at least in 1700 BC. There are a lot of mathematical documents in the unearthed clay tablets, including 15 Pythagorean numbers.
3. Understand the differences between Chinese and Western mathematical thinking.
China was good at calculation, while the ancient Greeks were good at logical reasoning. Thales (about 624-547 BC) pioneered the logical proof: he was not satisfied with the fact that people saw a circle divided into two identical parts by any diameter, but also tried to "prove" that they were equal. He believes that intuitive observation is limited after all, and systematic proof is more reliable and lasting.
4. Understand the struggle history and academic spirit of predecessors.
This is also one of the purposes of "history as education"-that is, to choose vivid, rich and typical historical events or facts and show them in the classroom or course in an appropriate way, so that students can truly understand the process of the emergence and development of mathematics, realize the role of mathematics in the development of human civilization, improve their interest in learning mathematics and deepen their understanding of mathematics.