Studying mathematical objects in class, the example of the Chinese abacus

Resumen

First of all, we will study the Chinese abacus asking directly to participants the question of the instructions for use. How does it work? And also, what might a student answer to this question? Secondly, we will present some theoretical points of our research. In particular, we will discuss the notion of mathematical object. What kind of material mathematical objects can be study in class? Why and how can we introduce them in class? We propose to study the material mathematical objects by asking a question of research: How does it work? and we analyze this kind of activity like a situation of research which necessitates the mobilization of notional knowledge (relative to a notion) and transversal knowledge in mathematics.