To expand search, see Mathematics in Recreation. Laterally related topics: Puzzles, Games, and Paradox.
The Mathematics and the Liberal Arts pages are intended to be a resource for student research projects and for teachers interested in using the history of mathematics in their courses. Many pages focus on ethnomathematics and in the connections between mathematics and other disciplines. The notes in these pages are intended as much to evoke ideas as to indicate what the books and articles are about. They are not intended as reviews. However, some items have been reviewed in Mathematical Reviews, published by The American Mathematical Society. When the mathematical review (MR) number and reviewer are known to the author of these pages, they are given as part of the bibliographic citation. Subscribing institutions can access the more recent MR reviews online through MathSciNet.
Gerdes, Paulus. On mathematics in the history of sub-Saharan Africa. Historia Math. 21 (1994), no. 3, 345--376. SC: 01A13, MR: 95f:01003.
This paper broadly surveys the recent research in sub-Saharan mathematics (and some related areas as well). Areas discussed include prehistoric mathematics (e.g., the Ishango and Border Cave bones), number systems and symbolism (including algorithms and education), games and puzzles (for example, a leopard-goat-cassava leaf river crossing problem and a "topological" puzzle), symmetry in African art, graphs or networks (e.g. Tschokwe sand drawings), architecture (one case involving magic squares; also a brief reference to fractals). Gerdes mentions string figures as a possibly productive future research area; he gives some starting points. He also discusses related areas, such as technology, and studies on language and mathematical concepts. A goal of the studies mentioned is apparently to better understand mathematics learning in Africa. Some studies focus on logic. Questions on interaction with ancient Egypt are still largely open. A better understanding of Islamic mathematics in sub-Saharan Africa is desirable as well. The author also touches on factors connected with the slave trade; e.g., the remarkable but not perhaps entirely atypical abilities of Thomas Fuller. Includes an extensive bibliography. Closely related topics: Sub-Saharan Africa, TallySystems, Games, Puzzles, Topology, Symmetry, Continuous Tracing Problems, Architecture, Magic Squares, Fractals in Art, Ancient Egypt, The Reckoning of Time, Education, Mathematics in Language, Logic, The Islamic World, and Thomas Fuller (1710-1790).Modify notes on this entry Modify bibliography entry Make comment on this entry
Sizer, Walter S. Mathematical notions in preliterate societies. Math. Intelligencer 13 (1991), no. 4, 53--60. (Reviewer: U. D'Ambrosio.) SC: 01A07 (01A12 01A13), MR: 93a:01002.
The author discusses the ethnomathematics of nonliterate societies. There is little detail, as the article is rather brief, but the author does mention the number concept and counting, fractions (very briefly), elementary geometric notions (e.g., that of a line), symmetry, string figures, and games of strategy. One note on the article: there are strong similarities behind the mathematics in different parts of the world. There is a theory that this similarity is due to a common origin. The author credits Cantor for this idea. It was first fully developed, however, by Abraham Seidenberg. Closely related topics: Ethnomathematics General, The Number Concept, Fractions, Geometry, Symmetry, and Games. Also possibly relevant: Abraham Seidenberg.Modify notes on this entry Modify bibliography entry Make comment on this entry
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