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History of Math SIGMAA

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MAA MathFest, 2026, Boston MA

History Related Events

  • SIGMAA on the History of Mathematics (SIGMAA HOM) Business Meeting and Guest Lecture, Thursday, August 6, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Salon G
    • Guest Lecture: Road to Insolvability
      • Phil Blau, Shawnee State University

        The quadratic formula provides a method for finding the roots of a general polynomial equations of degree 2; early applications to specific equations can be traced back thousands of years. By the 1500s, Italian mathematicians had discovered methods for solving general polynomial equations of degree 3 and 4. By contrast, no such formula exists for degree 5. A 1799 paper by Paolo Ruffini claimed to have proved the impossibility of solving the general quintic by radicals. Niels Abel later established this result independently—first in a brief self‑published pamphlet in 1824 and then in a more complete paper written in 1826. This talk will provide a historical overview of these developments and examine Abel’s paper and Ruffini’s contributions in greater depth.

    • Read the Masters! Galois’ Memoir on Solvability by Radicals, Saturday, August 8, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm,
      • Organizer: Daniel Otero, Xavier University

        The event will open with brief remarks by Daniel Otero (Xavier University) on Galois’ brief mathematical career and his highly influential use of “groups of substitutions” in the development of the theory of equations in the early nineteenth century. Then, handouts of the texts will be distributed to participants by “table proctors,” who will guide discussions at their assigned tables. (Table proctors will already have a passing familiarity with the text, but they will primarily act not as experts but as facilitators for table discussions. In addition, they can note questions and issues that would be appropriate to raise during the general discussion that will conclude the session.)

    • History of Mathematics Trivia Contest, Friday, August 7, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Student Lounge (Arlington)

      • Come join fellow mathematics and history enthusiasts for an exciting team trivia event! Participants will test their mathematical and historical knowledge over several rounds and compete for prizes. All are welcome, and undergraduate students are especially invited to attend. Players will be put in teams at the event, so please come and make some new friends, too!

    • Teaching through Time: Historical and Cultural Perspectives on Mathematics, (Contributed Paper Session) Thursday, August 6, 1:00 pm – 5:35 pm, Yarmouth
      • Organizers: Abe Edwards, Michigan State University, Ximena Catepillan, Millersville University, Cynthia Huffman, Pittsburg State University
      • This contributed paper session fosters dialogue among mathematicians, historians, and educators who study the mathematical past and culturally situated practices to enrich both scholarship and pedagogy. Presenters can highlight historical or philosophical case studies, share classroom or outreach activities grounded in primary historical sources, or draw from ethnomathematical perspectives that show how mathematical ideas arise within diverse cultural traditions. We welcome contributions that show how engaging with the past, and with global mathematical practices, can stimulate curiosity, broaden participation, and connect mathematics to its human contexts. Presentations may include descriptions of new archival research, reinterpret classical results, or describe strategies to incorporate cultural and historical insight into instruction. Speakers should help illustrate how the mathematical past continues to influence our present thinking and pedagogy. By bringing together perspectives from history, mathematics, and ethnomathematics, the session emphasizes mathematics as a deeply human, cultural endeavor. Participants will leave with concrete examples, methods, and resources for integrating historical and cultural dimensions of mathematics into their teaching, research, and outreach.