The teaching of Mathematics in Portugal in the 18th century : the creation of the 1st Faculty of Mathematics in the World

Abstract

In 1772 the teaching of Mathematics in Portugal, at a higher level, was transformed with the creation of a Faculty of Mathematics in the University of Coimbra. The newly reformed Portuguese University was ruled by Statutes. In the words of Francisco Gomes Teixeira, these Statutes are a “remarkable dissertation about the teaching of sciences, exquisite both in deepness and form and a monument to healthy pedagogy and high philosophy, written in vernacular and elegant language, where all justifications are clearly explained and justified” [1] . In our article we will analyze some parts of these Statutes, aiming to recover a 250 years old mathematical curriculum in what represents lessons to be used in present mathematics education.