Education of a Mathematician – Experimentalist, or Soft Manifesto of Experimental Mathematics
Education of a Mathematician – Experimentalist, or Soft Manifesto of Experimental Mathematics

Summary/Abstract: This article is written under the influence of V. I. Arnold’s works, in which he suggested the possibility of considering mathematics as an experimental science, and proved the existence of phenomena in the description of which “soft”models have an advantage over the “hard”. The article is a kind of response to them anifesto, which was delivered by R. V. Shamin, head of the group of experimental mathematics. By this manifesto the group declares the emergence of a new branch in mathematics, which is characterized by the extensive use of computer experiments. Due to the fact that the means and methods of experimental mathematics have lately become increasingly involved in teaching mathematics, the authors of this article have considered it necessary to have their own manifesto published. The article aims to remind readers what place was occupied and is occupied by experimental methods in mathematics and mathematics education; to show positive and negative aspects of the impact which computer experiments involved in the process of learning mathematics may have on the formation of the style of pupils’ scientific thinking; to call for reasonable and prudent use of computer experiments both in mathematics and mathematics education.

• Details
• Contents