MacTutor
The Mathematical Society of Serbia
Founded in 1981
The Mathematical Society of Serbia was founded in 1981 when the Society of Mathematicians, Physicists and Astronomers of Serbia split into three separate societies. The original society was the Society of Mathematicians and Physicists of Serbia, founded on 4 January 1948 when Tadija Pejovic, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Belgrade, was elected as the first President. For information about the Society of Mathematicians and Physicists of Serbia, see our page about that Society. The website [1] gives the following information about the Mathematical Society of Serbia:-
When Society split from the Society of Mathematicians and Physicists of Serbia, there were already three publications Matematicki Vesnik, a scientific journal which began publication in 1949; Nastava matematike, a journal intended for the use of primary and secondary school teachers, which began publication in 1952; Matematicki list za ucenike osnovne skole, a popular journal for primary school pupils, which began publication in 1966. For information on these journals see our article on the Society of Mathematicians and Physicists of Serbia.
After the Mathematical Society of Serbia split off in 1981, two further publications were added: Tangenta, a journal for mathematics and computer science, intended for secondary school students, which began publication in 1995; and The Teaching of Mathematics, a journal which publishes research works in mathematical education, which began publication in 1998. We now give further information on these two publications (the information is taken from [2] so refers to the position in 2008).
Tangenta
The structure of each issue of 'Tangenta' is as follows: there are two or three mathematical articles which are followed by challenging mathematical problems. The section "Something in between" is dedicated to articles and problems on computer science. Problems suggested for regular tests in schools are followed by reports and problems from mathematical competitions, as well as information about problems from University entrance examinations. Finally, reports on new mathematical books are sometimes given. Although it is generally accepted that the quality of "Tangenta" is very high the number of secondary school students who read it regularly is rather low. Of course, the high quality of the publication may be off-putting for less able students.
The Teaching of Mathematics.
The Society took into account the needs of the professional teaching community for a journal devoted to the study of investigations into methods of teaching mathematics which was research oriented and promoted essentially new ideas and techniques relevant for teaching of mathematics at all levels. To fulfill this need, in 1998 the Society began publishing The Teaching of Mathematics. The journal quickly gained a good reputation from the international mathematical community. This was achieved by the journal having a wide range of topics written by well-informed authors from various countries and relevant institutions who have contributed to the activities.
Basic activity in the field of education is the organization of professional meetings called "Republicki seminar o nastavi matematike i racunarstva", where most of the mathematics and informatics teachers regularly take part. Other seminars are often organized by Society's branches. The journal "Nastava matematike" started in 1952 and it became the official bulletin of the Society, obtained by all members. It has now its research variant, published in English, called "Teaching of Mathematics".According to its bylaws, the aims of the Society are as follows:
Organized and systematic work with groups of young mathematicians started also from the very beginning, both at primary and secondary schools level. Several summer and winter schools were organized, either by the Society or by its branches. "Matematicki list za ucenike osnovnih skola" started in 1967 and it immediately became the most popular publication of the Society. The journal "Tangenta", intended for high school pupils, started in 1995.
1. To contribute to the advancement of mathematical and computer sciences, and their applications, as well as the popularisation of these sciences.
2. To encourage scientific and professional activities of its members, and to assist scientific and professional research in the various fields of mathematics, computer science and their applications.
3. To treat matters concerning the instruction of mathematics and computer science in primary schools, secondary schools, post-secondary schools and universities, and to contribute to the improvement of such instruction.
4. To engage in the discovery, fostering and development of talented young mathematicians and programmers.
5. To pursues any matter concerning the status and protection of mathematics and mathematicians.
The Society is run by a President, a Managing Board, an Executive Board and a Supervising Board. The article [2] gives the following information:-
2. To encourage scientific and professional activities of its members, and to assist scientific and professional research in the various fields of mathematics, computer science and their applications.
3. To treat matters concerning the instruction of mathematics and computer science in primary schools, secondary schools, post-secondary schools and universities, and to contribute to the improvement of such instruction.
4. To engage in the discovery, fostering and development of talented young mathematicians and programmers.
5. To pursues any matter concerning the status and protection of mathematics and mathematicians.
The Assembly consists of delegates from each of the Society branches and the Managing and Supervising Boards are elected by the Assembly, while the Executive Board is elected by the Managing one. There are four committees which are in charge with the organization of mathematics and informatics competitions for primary and secondary schools. Finally, the Editorial Committee takes care about all periodical and non-periodical publications of the Society. Of course, each of the five journals has its own Editorial Board. Until 2006 all professional mathematicians and computer scientists, working in educational institutions or in other organizations, were considered the members of the Mathematical Society of Serbia. In order to improve the work of the Society's Assembly, new bylaws were adopted and a firm procedure of becoming the Society's member was defined.By 2008 the Society had a membership of 1800.
When Society split from the Society of Mathematicians and Physicists of Serbia, there were already three publications Matematicki Vesnik, a scientific journal which began publication in 1949; Nastava matematike, a journal intended for the use of primary and secondary school teachers, which began publication in 1952; Matematicki list za ucenike osnovne skole, a popular journal for primary school pupils, which began publication in 1966. For information on these journals see our article on the Society of Mathematicians and Physicists of Serbia.
After the Mathematical Society of Serbia split off in 1981, two further publications were added: Tangenta, a journal for mathematics and computer science, intended for secondary school students, which began publication in 1995; and The Teaching of Mathematics, a journal which publishes research works in mathematical education, which began publication in 1998. We now give further information on these two publications (the information is taken from [2] so refers to the position in 2008).
Tangenta
The structure of each issue of 'Tangenta' is as follows: there are two or three mathematical articles which are followed by challenging mathematical problems. The section "Something in between" is dedicated to articles and problems on computer science. Problems suggested for regular tests in schools are followed by reports and problems from mathematical competitions, as well as information about problems from University entrance examinations. Finally, reports on new mathematical books are sometimes given. Although it is generally accepted that the quality of "Tangenta" is very high the number of secondary school students who read it regularly is rather low. Of course, the high quality of the publication may be off-putting for less able students.
The Teaching of Mathematics.
The Society took into account the needs of the professional teaching community for a journal devoted to the study of investigations into methods of teaching mathematics which was research oriented and promoted essentially new ideas and techniques relevant for teaching of mathematics at all levels. To fulfill this need, in 1998 the Society began publishing The Teaching of Mathematics. The journal quickly gained a good reputation from the international mathematical community. This was achieved by the journal having a wide range of topics written by well-informed authors from various countries and relevant institutions who have contributed to the activities.
Visit the society website.
References (show)
- Mathematical Society of Serbia website. http://www.dms.rs
- V Micic, Z Kadelburg and B Popovic, The Mathematical Society of Serbia - 60 years, The Teaching of Mathematics 11 (1) (2008), 1-19.
Last Updated February 2018