Word Histories: Melding Mathematics and Meanings

Abstract

Integrating the history of mathematics into instruction sometimes seems to require taking advanced courses or studying lengthy texts. However, much of mathematics history is reflected in the very words that we use every day. The etymologies, or origins, of mathematics words make a rich resource for deepening students' understanding and appreciation of mathematics, history, and language. They open a window onto the lively history of our science and its connections with other subjects. In this article, we share some of these etymologies, as well as ideas for incorporating them into instruction.