Using mathematical ideas from carpet and carpet-weavers as a context for designing mathematics tasks

Abstract

In this study, the mathematics of carpet will be introduced by presenting the lifestyle of two expert carpet-weavers from Kerman, Iran, who work for many years in carpet-weaving activities through an explanation of carpet weavers’ culture. This explanation reveals that carpet weavers can do mathematics and solve related real-world problems without academic education in mathematics according to their needs through practical activities. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the mathematical ideas in the art of carpet weavers, and the ethnography approach is used as a methodological framework. Our findings showed that there are many mathematical concepts in the carpet weaving process, such as mirror axes, parallel and diagonal lines, geometric shapes, ratio, and measurement which can be used as context for developing enrich and meaningful mathematical tasks.