Do Teachers Need to Incorporate the History of Mathematics in Their Teaching?

Five reasons for using the history of mathematics in school curricula:

1. History can help increase motivation and helps develop a positive attitute toward learning.

2. Past obstacles in the development of mathematics can help explain what today's students find difficult.

3. Historical problems can help develop students' mathematical thinking.

4. History reveals the humanistic facets of mathematical knowledge.

5. History gives teachers a guide for teaching.