Mathematics is often taught in a non-historical way: Formulas are given as facts, especially during the early years. Most students don’t know or weren’t taught who derived them, or how they were discovered.
Brian Mulholland, assistant professor of the practice in the Department of Mathematics, remembers a class he took as an undergraduate on the history of mathematics, and decided to create a similar experience for Notre Dame students during the 2021 winter session. The 25 students in Introduction to Mathematical Writing and History learned about the history of mathematics worldwide. More....