AMUCHMA-NEWSLETTER-23 (continued)
BACK to Newsletter 23 first page
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
8. Have you read? (#286-#296)
10. Addresses of scholars and institutions mentioned in this newsletter
11. New recipients
Do
you want to receive the next AMUCHMA-Newsletter
8.1 On the History of Mathematics in Africa
#286 Bentaleb, Farès: Sharh Talkhis a'mal al-hisab
(Commentary on the summary of arithmetic operations), Dâr
al-Gharb al-islami, Beyrouth, (Lebanon), 1999
Critical edition and translation into French of the commentary,
written by the mathematician al-Qalasâdî (d. 1486),
on the famous handbook "Summary of arithmetic operations"
of the maghrebian mathematicians Ibn al-Bannâ (d. 1321).
#287 Guergour, Youcef: Les différents systèmes
de numération au Maghreb, à l'époque ottomane:
l'exemple des chiffres rûmî (The different
systems of numeration in the Maghreb during the Ottoman epoch:
Example of the rumi ciphers), Prepublication, Cahier du Séminaire
Ibn al-Haytham, Alger, no. 9, April 1999, 11-22
Presents a system of numeration, called "rumi ciphers"
or "ciphers of Fez" or "register ciphers",
composed of 27 distinct symbols. This system was used in the Extreme
Maghreb (today's Morocco) in administration and in accounting.
#288 Meinhof, Carl: Ein magisches Quadrat auf einem Hausa-Amulett
(A magic square on a Hausa amulet), Zeitschrift für Eingeborenensprachen,
1923/24, 14, 224-226 (Cf. #159, 179, 237)
Reconstructs and analyses a 7x7 magic square on a Hausa amulet
(Nigeria), reproduced in C, Robinson's 'Specimens of Hausa-Literature'
(Cambridge, 1896). We are dealing with a bordered or concentric
magic square: taking away the successive borders, the smaller
squares remain magic. Meinhof calls it a Stifelius' square after
Michael Stifel, who discussed this type of magic square in his
'Arithmetica integra' (1544).
| 10 | 45 | 44 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 46 |
| 9 | 19 | 34 | 17 | 20 | 35 | 41 |
| 8 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 28 | 32 | 42 |
| 49 | 37 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 13 | 1 |
| 48 | 36 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 14 | 2 |
| 47 | 15 | 16 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 3 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 43 | 39 | 33 | 40 |
8.2 Publications on the History of Mathematics, Ethnomathematics and Mathematics Education in Africa
#289 Andrzejeweskis, B. W.: The use of Somali in Mathematics
and Science, Afrika und Übersee, Vol. 63, 1980,
103-117
Discusses the ways in which Somali language has been used in mathematics
and science teaching in Somalia since 1972, substituting the use
of the foreign languages, Italian, English and Arabic. In particular,
it analyses the formation of new scientific terms by composition,
semantic shift and borrowing.
#290 Eglash, Ron: African Fractals: Modern Computing and
Indigenous Design, Rutgers University Press, Piscataway, 1999,
258 pp.
This beautifully illustrated book "introduces readers to
fractal geometry and explores the ways it is expressed in African
cultures. Drawing on interviews with African designers, artists,
and scientists, Eglash investigates fractals in African architecture,
traditional hairstyling, textiles, sculpture, painting, carving,
metalwork, religion, games, practical craft, quantitative techniques,
and symbolic systems. He also examines the political and social
implications of the existence of African fractal geometry"
(cf. #254-258).
#291 Gerdes, Paulus: On culture and mathematics education
in (southern) Africa, in: Bernard Hodgson et al. (Eds.), 8th
International Congress on Mathematical Education. Selected Lectures,
S.A.E.M. Thales, Sevilla (Spain), 1998, 221-231
Presents a short overview of research on culture, mathematics,
and mathematics education in Africa south of the Sahara, concentrating
on southern Africa.
#292 Vergani, Teresa: Ethnomathematics and symbolic thought.
The culture of the Dogon, ZDM, International Reviews on
Mathematical Education, Karlsruhe, 1999, Vol.2, 66-70
The paper deals with "the following aspects of the culture
of the Dogons (Mali): the specific mythological context and the
related cognitive system; fundamental poles in the Dogon numerical
symbology; the density of 5's significance; the spiral as a choreography
of thought; ethnomathematics 'logosymbols' as 'event' and social
meaning; educational implications (transcultural expression of
thought and feeling)"..
#293 Zaslavsky, Claudia: Count on your fingers African style,
Black Butterfly Children's Books, New York, 1999 (illustrations
by Wangechi Mutu)
New edition of #21. The book "guides children through the
animated activity of the marketplace, showing the traditional
finger counting of various African peoples - the Masai, the
Kamba, and the Taita in Kenya; the Zulu of South Africa; and the
Mende of Sierra Leone".
8.3 Other publications on the History of Mathematics by African mathematicians
#294 Djebbar, Ahmed: ,Les mathématiques dans l'Oeuvre
d'Ibn Sina (Mathematics in the works of Avicenna), Actes
des Journées d'Etudes Avicenne (Marrakech (Maroc), 25-26
septembre 1998), Groupe d'Etude Ibn Sina (G.E.I.S.), 1999,
51-70
Presents the essential aspects of the contribution of the great
philosopher and physician Avicenna (d. 1037) to the domains of
mathematics and astronomy.
8.4 Publications on the History of Mathematics and the African Diaspora
None were reported.
8.5 Reviews
#295 Krause, Henning (Bielefeld, Germany): Paulus Gerdes' "Ethno-mathematik
dargestellt am Beispiel der Sona Geometrie", Spektrum
der Wissenschaft, September 1998, 118-120 (cf. #236)
#296 Schmeikal, Bernd (Vienna, Austria): Paulus Gerdes' "Ethnomathematik
dargestellt am Beispiel der Sona Geometrie", Mathematical
Reviews, 1998, 6078-6080 [98j:01003] (cf. #236)
9.1 French language edition of the AMUCHMA Newsletter
From 2000 onwards, the French language edition of the AMUCHMA
Newsletter, realised by Ahmed Djebbar, will be distributed by
the 'Groupe d'Histoire et de Diffusion des Sciences d'Orsay' (G.H.D.S.O.),
directed by Professor Paul Brouzeng. Note the new address:
Ahmed Djebbar: G.H.D.S.O., Bt. 407, Université Paris-Sud,
91405 Orsay Cedex, France
(E-mail: ahmed.djebbar@ghdso.u-psud.fr)
9.2 6th Maghrebian Colloquium on the History of Arabic Mathematics
The 'Ecole Normale Supérieure' of Algiers will organise,
together with the Algerian Society for the History of Mathematics,
the 6th Maghrebian Colloquium on the History of Arabic Mathematics,
to take place in Algiers from November 20-22, 2000. For more information:
Youcef Atik, Département de Mathématiques, E.N.S.,
Vieu Kouba, B.P. 92, 16050 Kouba, Alger, Algeria (Fax: +213-2-58
31 42)
(By E-mail, contact Abdelmalek Bouzari: bouzari@hotmail.com)
9.3 New Study Group on the History of Mathematics (Morocco)
After the realisation of the International Colloquium on Mathematics
Education, that took place in May 1999 in Safi (Morocco), a Study
Group on the History of Mathematics (G.R.H.M.) was created in
El-Jadida (Morocco). The group is composed of four teacher educators,
eighth high school teachers, four inspectors and four university
lecturers. Khalid Ennaciri is one of the coordinators of the Study
group and Ahmed Djebbar (Algeria) was elected honorary president.
For more information:
Khalid Ennaciri, no.7, Immeuble Breija, Boulevard Bir Inzarane,
El-Jadida, Morocco (E-mail: khalidennaciri@hotmail.com)
9.4 Death of Mohamed Al-Manouni
Mohamed Al-Manouni, one of the great specialists on the cultural
history of the Maghreb died on August 28, 1999 in Rabat (Morocco)
at the age of 80. He is the author of a certain number of works
and original papers which deal partially or completely with the
history of mathematics in the Maghreb and, more precisely, in
the extreme (western) Maghreb. He is also the author of a series
of catalogues that contain important information on mathematical
manuscripts that may be found in Moroccan public and private libraries.
Works and papers published by Al-Manouni (all in Arab):
The sciences and arts in the time of the Almohads, Rabat,
1977;
Catalogue of manuscripts in the an-Nasiriya library, Al-Muhammadiya,
Impremerie Fudala, 1985;
The teachers and authors of geometry in the Sacadian Maghreb,
Dacwat al-haqq, Rabat, no. 3, 1965, 101-104;
Pages on the Moroccan civilisation in the time of the Merinids,
Rabat, Imprimatlas, 1979;
Note on the activities related to the study of mathematics and
astronomy in Maknes, Al-Manahil, no. 30, 1984, 32-87;
Activity of mathematical studies in Morocco during the fourth
period of the Middle Ages, Al-Manahil, no. 33, 1985, 77-115;
The civilisation of the Almohads, Casablanca, Tubqal, 1989.
9.5 SAMSA Journal
The Southern Africa Mathematical Science Association (SAMSA) will launch in the near future its journal. The "SAMSA Journal is a publication aimed at bringing to the fore the many varied research results by mathematicians in the southern African region, thereby capturing the interest and enthusiasm of the scientific community. The journal will publish carefully selected papers originating from sources in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, mathematics education and in industrial applications, but their common viewpoint should be a contribution, with a practical outcome, to the socio-economic, scientific and technological development of the region. Especially welcome for publication will be papers that are case studies, with long term impact, of relevance to the Southern African region. Although papers describing research results of fundamental interest to mathematicians will also receive preferential treatment".
For more information, contact:
Patrick Phiri, Chairman SAMSA, c/o Department of Mathematics,
Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Swaziland
(E-mail: phiri@science.uniswa.sz)
9.6 SAMSA-XII Conference
The XIIth conference of the Southern Africa Mathematical Science Association (SAMSA) will take place at the University of Swaziland (Kwaluseni Campus) from December 6 to 8, 2000. The general theme of the conference is "Emerging mathematical methodologies, computer applications and environments". Papers in the fields of mathematics and computer science education, ethnomathematics and the history of mathematics are also wellcome.
For more information, contact:
Patrick Phiri, Chairman SAMSA, c/o Department of Mathematics,
Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Swaziland
(E-mail: samsaxii@science.uniswa.sz)
10. ADDRESSES OF SCHOLARS, INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLISHERS MENTIONED IN THIS NEWSLETTER
* Atik, Youcef: Département de mathématiques,
E.N.S. de Kouba, 16050 Vieux Kouba, Algiers, Algeria;
* Bebbouchi, Rachid: Département de mathématiques,
U.S.T.H.B., B.P. 32, El Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria;
* Bellosta, H.: Centre d'Histoire des sciences et des philosophies
arabes et médiévales, URA 1085, CNRS, 7 rue Guy
Moquet, B.P. 8, 94801 Villejuif, France;
* Benmiled, M.: Département de mathématiques, Faculté
des Sciences, Université Tunis II, Campus du Belvédère,
Tunis, Tunisia;
* Bentaleb, Farès: Dar Al-Gharb Al-Islami, B. P. 113-5787,
Beyrouth, Lebanon
* Black Butterfly Children's Books: P.O. Box 461 Village Station,
New York, NY 10014 (Tel. +212 941 0202; Fax: +212 941 0011)
* Bouzari, Abdelmalek: Département de mathématiques,
E.N.S. de Kouba, 16050 Vieux Kouba, Algiers, Algeria (E-mail:
bouzari@hotmail.com);
* Brouzeng, Paul: Directeur G.H.D.S.O., Bt. 307, Université
Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France;
* Crozet, P.: Centre d'Histoire des sciences et des philosophies
arabes et médiévales, URA 1085, CNRS, 7 rue Guy
Moquet, B.P. 8, 94801 Villejuif, France
* Djebbar, Ahmed: G.H.D.S.O., Bt. 307, Université Paris-Sud,
91405 Orsay Cedex, France (E-mail: ahmed.djebbar@ghdso.u-psud.fr)
* Eglash, Ron: Comparative Studies, 308 Dulles Hall, 230 West
17th Ave., Ohio State University, Columbus OH 43210-1311 (E-mail:
eglash.1@osu.edu)
* El Idrissi, Abdallah: Département de mathématiques,
E.N.S. de Marrakech, B.P. S 41, Marrakech, Morocco;
* El Tom, Mohamed: Program in Mathematics, Teachers College, Columbia
University, Box 210, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027-6696,
USA (E-mail: meltom41@hotmail.com)
* Ennaciri, Khalid: no. 7, Immeuble Breija, Boulevard Bir Inzarane,
El-Jadida, Morocco (E-mail: khalidennaciri@hotmail.com);
* García, José Barrios: Depto. de Análisis
Matemático, Universidad de La Laguna, 38271 La Laguna (Tenerife),
Islas Canarias, Spain (Fax: +34-22-604023; E-mail: jbarrios@ull.es)
* Giusti, E: Dipartemento di Matematica, Universita di Firenze,
Viale Margagni 67/A, 50134 Florence, Italy;
* Guerbati, Kaddour: Institut de Chimie Industrielle, Centre Universitaire,
Ouargla, Algeria;
* Guergour, Youcef: Département de mathématiques,
E.N.S. de Kouba, 16050 Vieux Kouba, Algiers, Algeria (E-mail :
guergour@hotmail.com);
* Houzel, C.: Département de mathématiques, Université
Paris VI, 75005, Paris Cedex, France;
* International String Figure Association (ISFA) : P.O.Box 5134,
Pasadena, California 91117, USA (Tel./Fax.: 626-305-9055; E-mail
: webweavers@isfa.org)
* Karuhije, Eric: Vice Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Uganda
* Kouidri, Khadidja, Département de mathématiques,
E.N.S. de Kouba, 16050 Vieux Kouba, Algiers, Algeria;
* Krause, Henning: Fakultaet fuer Mathematik, Universitaet Bielefeld,
Germany
* Morelon, R.: Centre d'Histoire des sciences et des philosophies
arabes et médiévales, URA 1085, CNRS, 7 rue Guy
Moquet, B.P. 8, 94801 Villejuif, France;
* Morelli, Michael: Department of Mathematics, Statistics and
Computer Science, 237c Harvey Hall, University of Wisconsin-Stout,
Mnemonie, WI 54751, USA (E-mail: morellim@uwstout.edu)
* Moulay, Mohamed-Said: Département de mathématiques,
U.S.T.H.B., B.P. 32, El Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria;
* Rashed, Rosdi: Centre d'Histoire des sciences et des philosophies
arabes et médiévales, URA 1085, CNRS, 7 rue Guy
Moquet, B.P. 8, 94801 Villejuif, France;
* Rios, Oscar Pacheco: Centro Pedagógico de Informática,
Casilla 2068, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (Tel/Fax: +591-3-371693;
E-mail: cepdi@amboro.movinet-bo.com)
* Rutgers University Press : 100 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway,
NJ 08854-8099, USA (Tel. +732-445-7762, ext. 626; Fax: +732-445-7039;
Web: http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu)
* Schmeikal, Bernd: Kundmanngasse 26/8, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
* Singmaster, David : Professor of Mathematics, School of Computing,
Information Systems and Mathematics, Southbank University, London,
SE1 0AA, United Kingdom (Tel: 0171-815 7411; fax: 0171-815 7499;
E-mail: david.singmaster@sbu.ac.uk)
* Vergani, Teresa: Universidade Aberta, Rua da Escola Politécnica
147, P-1250 Lisboa, Portugal (E-mail: tvergani@univ-ab.pt)
* Vogeli, Bruce: Program in Mathematics, Teachers College, Columbia
University, Box 210, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027-6696,
USA (Tel. +212 678-3381; Fax: +212 678-4048; E-mail: tcmath@columbia.edu)
* Zaslavsky, Claudia: 45 Fairview Av. #13-1, New York, NY 10040,
USA
* Zerner, M.: Centre d'Histoire des sciences et des philosophies
arabes et médiévales, URA 1085, CNRS, 7 rue Guy
Moquet, B.P. 8, 94801 Villejuif, France.
In issue 6 of the AMUCHMA Newsletter, we included its distribution list. In the meantime the distribution list has undergone many changes. Both hard copies and electronic versions of the AMUCHMA-Newsletter are distributed, as well as it is now accessible on the world-wide-web. It seems useful from now on to present in each issue the list of new recipients in Africa, in order to stimulate contact within and between countries. Here follows the list for issue #23:
* Afealete, Edem Kwasi: 310 Unity Hall, University of Science
& Technology, Kumasi, Ghana (E-mail : oletegon@avuust.africaonline.com.gh)
* Atsu-Swanzy, John (E-mail: atsuswan@math.udel.edu)
* Campbell, Cade: P.O.Box 43311, Washington DC 20010, USA (E-mail:
MathHealth@AOL.com)
* Centro de Estudos Africanos: Universidade de São Paulo,
C.P. 2530, 01060-970, São Paulo SP, Brazil (cea@edu.usp.br)
* Daffe, Amadou: 524 south 42nd Apt 3, Philadelphia, PA 19104,
USA (e-mail: Amadou.Daffe@gecapital.com)
* Genevier, Christian: Afrique en Créations, 51 rue Saint
Anne, 75002 Paris, France (E-mail: genevier@aec.asso.fr, genevier3@wanadoo.fr)
* Greene, Anthony: 2863 Pine Knoll Drive 100 G, Auburn Hills,
Michigan 48326, USA (E-mail: greene.anthony@worldnet.att.net)
* Lardelli, Roberto: Via Campanola 42b, Ch-6877 Coldrerio, Switzerland
(E-mail: rlardelli@tinet.ch)
* Morelli, Mike: 1026 Creek Ridge Court, Menomonie, WI 54751,
USA (E-mail: mike.morelli@lmco.com)
* Murphy, Timothy: POB 20234, Las Vegas, NV 89112, USA (E-mail:
roadskolar@netscape.net)
* Nash, John: 701 N. Aurora St. 2, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA (E-mail:
john@africancrafts.com)
* Novellino, Raffaele Amazonas: Rua das Seringas, 101 - Cj. Acariquara
69085-420, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil (E-mail: novellino@manaus.br)
* Rasmussen, Grethe: The National Library of Education, The Royal
Danish School of Education Studies, Emdrupvej 101, DK-2400 Copenhagen
NV, Denmark (E-mail: gret@bib.dlh.dk)
* Richardson, Samuel: Department of Learning Support & Mathematics,
Augusta State University, 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia 30904-2200,
USA (E-mail: srichard@aug.edu)
* Shulman, Bonnie: Dept. Mathematics, Bates College, Lewiston,
ME 04240, USA (E-mail: bshulman@abacus.bates.edu)
Only E-mail addresses:
CmcLeary@jpsco.com; colemath7@hotmail.com; jomiriam@visto.com;
Lynet@aol.com; danw@ccsso.org; h.vanrinsum@usp.uu.nl; jendayi@afrika.freeserve.co.uk
AMUCHMA-NEWSLETTER website
Thanks to Scott Williams, the English language edition of all issues of the AMUCHMA Newsletter is also accessible on the following website: http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/AMU/amuchma_online.html
Please note the address of the above website is new since the
printed version of AMUCHMA 21.
The English version of AMUCHMA 22 is reproduced
and distributed
with financial support from SIDA-SAREC (Sweden)