Paulus Gerdes Books

This comprehensive catalogue features over 2000 doctoral theses by African mathematicians across various fields, including applied mathematics and mathematics education. The introduction provides insights into the distribution of theses by country, institution, period, and gender, as well as details on mathematical density and the mobility of mathematicians. Appendices highlight female doctorate holders, international contributions, and community service by African mathematicians. Compiled by Paulus Gerdes, the volume includes a preface by Mohamed Hassan, emphasizing its significance in documenting African contributions to mathematics.

Engaging children aged 8 to 14, this book introduces the rich storytelling tradition of Angola through captivating tales illustrated in sand drawings. Featuring stories about animals like storks, leopards, and foxes, it encourages readers to create their own drawings of various creatures while exploring the rhythm and symmetry of the illustrations. Incorporating playful mathematical concepts, such as quick calculations of odd numbers, it invites experimentation and creativity. Suitable for both classroom and home use, it includes answers to activities for guided learning.

Exploring the Makhuwa culture of Northeast Mozambique, this book delves into the geometric principles inherent in traditional basket weaving. It highlights how these practices not only demonstrate mathematical concepts but also offer valuable insights for educational purposes. By examining the intersection of art and geometry, the work fosters a deeper appreciation of Makhuwa culture and its unique contributions to mathematical understanding.

Focusing on the vibrant circular winnowing baskets of southern Mozambique, this book presents a unique blend of art and mathematics. Collected by the author since the late 1970s, it features detailed analyses and colorful illustrations across 132 pages. The work highlights the cultural significance and intricate designs of these traditional baskets, showcasing the intersection of craftsmanship and mathematical concepts in their creation.

This comprehensive reference work details 535 doctoral theses authored by Mozambicans and 544 theses concerning Mozambique by international scholars, organized in historical order. It highlights contributions from universities across 33 countries, providing insights into the academic landscape related to Mozambique. The book features alphabetic and thematic indices, along with various tables, making it a valuable resource for researchers and academics interested in Mozambican studies and doctoral research trends.

Featuring over 1600 bibliographic entries, this updated volume serves as a comprehensive resource on African mathematics. It includes extensive appendices that cover diverse topics such as mathematicians of the Diaspora, African contributions to global mathematical history, and cultural aspects like time-reckoning and board games. Additionally, it highlights research inspired by the 'sona' tradition and provides several indices for easy navigation. The preface is authored by Professor Jan Persens, a notable figure in the African Mathematical Union.

Exploring the intersection of culture and mathematics education, this book highlights the use of diverse African ornaments and artifacts as engaging tools for teaching the Pythagorean Theorem and related concepts. Through its first full-color edition, it presents a unique approach to making mathematical principles accessible and relevant, emphasizing the rich cultural heritage of Africa in the learning process.

The book explores the intersection of geometry and cultural practices in Southern Africa, featuring chapters on traditional crafts such as basket weaving, beadwork, and ceramics. This expanded edition includes contributions from prominent scholars, enhancing the original work with insights into specific regional practices, such as the symmetry in mat weaving by Yombe women and the geometric patterns in Yao pottery. With a foreword and afterwords from respected figures in mathematics and culture, it serves as a rich resource for understanding the mathematical concepts embedded in these artistic traditions.

Ethnomathematik befaßt sich mit Mathematik umd Mathematikunterricht unter Aspekten der kulturellen Anthropologie. Paulus Gerdes, einer der international führenden Ethnomathematiker, behandelt am Beispiel gewisser afrikanischer geometrischer Überlieferungen die Entstehungsgeschichte der Mathematik als einen von sozio-kulturellen Grundlagen einer jeweiligen Gesellschaft abhängigen Vorgang. Ausgangspunkt sind gewisse geometrische Überlieferungen einer afrikanischen Volksgruppe. Nach einer Analyse und historischen Rekonstruktion des Materials erfolgt eine ausführliche mathematische Exploration, welche zeigt, wie fruchtbar die ethnomathematische Methode sowohl im Schulunterricht als auch in der Lehrerausbildung eingesetzt werden kann. Damit werden - über unsere heute akademisch gelehrte und angewandte Mathematik hinausgreifend - Zugänge zum Verständnis ethnisch bedingter, in der Geschichte (u. a. der Dritten Welt) verborgener, „eingefrorener“ Mathematik erschlossen. Das vorliegende Buch gibt einen materialreichen Einblick in die Fragestellungen der Ethnomathematik.