A HISTORICAL – EPISTEMOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PI ()
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Abstract
This article presents a historical epistemological analysis that clarifies the formation and development of p, identifies key conceptions influencing this process, and determines the epistemological characteristics of p. The research employed historical epistemological methods, reviewing litertaure on the history of π. The findings reveal that p appeared implicitly in the mathematical works of ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Chinese, and Indians. Concepts from geometry, algebra, arithmetic analysis have influenced the formation and development of p. Notably, the geometric conception posed an epistemological obstacle despite π's true nature as an irrational and transcendental number. The research results contribute to the epistemological understanding of the history of mathematics, offering valuable insights for mathematics teachers in designing instructional scenarios for teaching the concept of p and providing a foundation for further research in mathematical studies related to π.
Keywords
p, irrational numbers, historical epistemology, quadrature of the circle, ratio of circumference and diameter, transcendent numbers
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References
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