MATHEMATICAL MACHINES

Mathematical machines concern geometry or arithmetic:

“ a geometrical machine is a tool that forces a point to follow a trajectory or to be transformed according to a given law ”

“ an arithmetical machine is a tool that allows the user to perform at least one of the following actions: counting; making calculations; representing numbers ”

The laboratory sessions in the Mathematical Machines Laboratory at the Department of Mathematics in Modena (Italy), are designed in order to offer hands-on activities with mathematical machines for classes of students in secondary schools, groups of university students, prospective and practicing school teachers (Bartolini Bussi & Maschietto, 2008).

In Greece, Laboratory sessions with the same objectives take place in Science Centre of Patras (patrassciencecentre.gr).