History of mathematics in Ceará: initial approaches

Abstract

This theoretical essay, with a historiographical approach, is configured as a first look to the theme of the history of Mathematics in Ceará, aiming to reconstruct the history of the contexts, institutions and subjects that enabled the organization of the mathematical community in Ceará, with a focus on those who dedicated themselves to academic trajectory around the Federal University of Ceará (UFC, in portuguese), the main stronghold of mathematical production in that state. To this end, the historical characterization divided into three periods was discussed, ranging from the creation of the first mathematics courses in Brazil, in the 1930s, through the creation of the Cearense Mathematics Institute  (ICEM, in portuguese) and its integration into the UFC , in the 1950s, and reaching the more contemporary period, in which postgraduate studies in Mathematics in the state were conceived and gained momentum. It is important to launch new perspectives on the History of Mathematics, including local history, considering its specificities, as well as carrying out, in future investigative initiatives, a mapping of Ceará's contribution to the production of mathematical knowledge in these more than five decades of research and training of researchers in this area.