Connections through the development of mathematical ideas: The case of solution to high degree polynomial equations in Medieval Chinese Mathematics.

Making connections among mathematical topics and connections between mathematics and other disciplines are repeatedly stressed in mathematics education under universal education. Such connections naturally arise when we trace back the historical development of mathematical concepts. In this paper, the idea is illustrated by portraying the development from extracting roots to the solution of high degree polynomial equations in medieval Chinese mathematics. Discussions will be made on various pedagogical implications we can get from such a historical development. Copyright © 1998 Department of Mathematics Education, Hiroshima University.