Teaching Arithmetic Using Anania Shirakatsi’s 7th Century Methodology

Abstract Book of the 8th World Conference on Teaching and Education

Year: 2025

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Teaching Arithmetic Using Anania Shirakatsi’s 7th Century Methodology

Dr. Gohar Marikyan

ABSTRACT:

My research focuses on Anania Shirakatsi, a seventh-century Armenian mathematician, writer, historian, geographer, cosmologist, and philosopher. I examine his manuscript titled Tvabanutiun (Arithmetic), in which Shirakatsi outlines his approach to teaching arithmetic to children and novices. In this manuscript, he provides a detailed methodology for performing the four basic arithmetic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—without relying on algorithms or visual aids. Instead, he presents tables that guide learners in understanding and executing these operations, fully eliminating the need for memorization. Shirakatsi’s teaching method was employed for centuries in Armenia, demonstrating its effectiveness in helping students acquire advanced arithmetic skills. This solid foundation contributed to their later success in scientific research during adulthood. My topic is the second part of my research, following my book *Anania Shirakatsi’s Tvabanutiun: World’s Oldest Manuscript On Arithmetic, Part 1: Addition.*

Keywords: eliminate memorization, mathematics in elementary schools, no visual aids, strong mathematical foundation, understanding mathematics