Is it possible to neither accept nor reject the notion of competition? Zurab Janelidze approaches competition from the perspective of abstract mathematics.
Read MoreEditor's Note
WISAARKHU aims to provide a diversity, not necessarily a jointly exhaustive collection, of perspectives on a chosen theme related to the learning and teaching of Mathematics. It is a magazine for inspiring, for creating awareness, for sharing experiences, for communicating, for connecting, and for reflecting.
It is not a research journal. It does not purport to endorse any particular opinion or approach to the learning and teaching of mathematics. Its readership is intended for all from across the globe with an interest in mathematics.
Each perspective expressed in the content of WISAARKHU is that of the author. It does not purport to reflect the opinions of the editor or Stellenbosch University or the affiliations of the authors.
Each theme aligned with one of the quarterly Psychology of Abstract Mathematics discussions. The choice of each discussion theme is inspired by a challenge encountered in the learning and teaching of mathematics;
In this way the theme ‘Competition or Collaboration in Mathematics’ evolved for the first volume of WISAARKHU. There are four topics each speaking to a sub-theme of the overall theme that evolved from the contributions, namely, perspectives within and beyond mathematics, voices of students, impact on the self, influence on learning and teaching of mathematics. Throughout the magazine you will meet students, mathematicians, teachers, psychologists, educationalists, and others interested in mathematics.
No matter your interest in or experience of Mathematics, I hope you will read this magazine acknowledging the intention with which it has been written.

Prof. Ingrid Rewitzky
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Department of Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
TOPIC 1: Perspectives Across Disciplines
Video summary done by Mieke Verster
Is there a place for competition in mathematics?
Context matters. Jonathan Jansen explains why mathematics teachers should use their professional judgement when it comes to co-operative versus competitive learning.
Read More“No one enters here if he is not a geometer”
Laurent Neveu-Marques delves into the historical relationship between philosophy and mathematics and argues for continuous metaphysical reflection.
Read MoreOn the History of Proving False ‘Theorems’
Despite its inhumanly pristine appearance in textbooks and the classroom, mathematics is a human endeavour, sometimes stimulated by debate and controversy.
Read MoreHow neuroscience help us to understand numerical and mathematical cognition
In this contribution, Christine Marques discusses how neuroscience can contribute to Mathematics education by better understanding the cognitive processes involved in mathematical performance.
Read MoreCompetition and Collaboration in Mathematics: A Case Study
Jacques Rabie makes the case for collaboration in Mathematics by comparing the approaches of two mathematicians, 16th century Niccolo Fontana and 20th century Paul Erdős, and looking at the impact each one's approach made on the progress of Mathematics.
Read MoreTOPIC 2: What Do Students Say?
Video summary done by Mieke Verster
The Rat Race
Lakshmi reflects on the highly competitive process of college applications into engineering and medical colleges in India. Her article provides a personalised account of the...
Read MoreA Rant About Rats and Ants
Kai Grotepass argues that if the betterment of humanity is the goal of our activities, then we need both competition and collaboration.
Read MoreDistinctive thoughts on collaboration and competition
Tshogofatso Brigette Lope argues that collaboration can be successful if students are taught the necessary skills early on. She further discusses how competing with oneself...
Read MoreLessons for life from solving complex antiderivatives
In this article, Mpoyi Luboya reflects on the challenges that he experienced in an undergraduate engineering mathematics course. Luboya describes how attending the mathematics symposia...
Read MoreThe Winner Takes It All
Triven Govender contends that the idea that competition improves the individual is false because winners are advantaged and 'losers' are disadvantaged.
Read MoreThe Inequity Equation
Cecilia Hernandez writes about the path out of poverty - good grades, getting into college, graduating and finding a well-paying job. She realized that to...
Read MoreGender Roles, Competition and Mathematics
Laylaa Motala discusses how societal pressure regarding gender roles eventually led her to being competitive in her studies. She also tells of her journey of...
Read MoreMy ongoing quest towards healthier academic competition
How does one have a healthy relationship with competition? In this contribution, Ashwin Kamaldien writes that it starts with being a humble learner and an...
Read MoreYour marks should not define who you are
Michelle Namachemo writes about the ongoing battle between operating within an education system that values marks and other external measures, and not letting those external...
Read MoreAbout the Cover
The portrait was hand-painted by Nino Mekanarishvili.
Human minds are beautiful and very different from each other. Competition, human interaction and such things come from both our minds and our feelings, and that is the beauty of it.
The design contains imperfect symmetries that relate mathematics, art and life with each other. The same portrait in different styles (pointillism, realism and cubism) symbolises the competition in art.

TOPIC 3: Making a Case for the Better Self
Could any type of competition be pushing us away from our “best self”?
Sophie Marques argues that each person’s “best” is an inner process. Is it possible that competition is pushing us away from the best version of...
Read MoreThe value of collaboration
Joy Mighty delves into the importance of collaboration in our efforts as humans to solve tame and wicked problems.
Read MoreWhy we climb the mountain?
Daniel Page writes of his belief that it is possible “to leverage our innate competitive drive into behaviour that is healthy, productive and pro-social.”
Read MoreMathematics Competitions and Women in Mathematics
Sarah Selkirk discusses the large gender disparity in participation of women in mathematics competitions, and how we can change or create new mathematical enrichment programs...
Read MoreThe influence of upbringing on collaborativeness and competitiveness
Ronalda Benjamin draws on her own experiences growing up in an under-privileged community and asks whether people from such backgrounds are more inclined to collaborate...
Read MoreThe problem is not competition, but the competitors
Karin Brand shares her personal reflections on the sources of competition and how competition can be of value.
Read MoreCollaboration in Mathematics Olympiads
Dirk Basson emphasizes that even though mathematics Olympiads are competitions, preparation often involves teamwork and that this social aspect of the competition makes the experience...
Read More“When you lose, do not lose the lesson”
Mariam Salie provides a personal reflection on her early experiences with mathematics and collaboration and shares her insight of the value of collaboration.
Read MoreWhat to reward?
Leandro Boonzaaier asks us to question what is rewarded within our academic systems and critically reflect on the metrics that we use to evaluate ourselves.
Read MoreShould we compete or collaborate in an academic setting?
Rizwana Roomaney shares some of the pitfalls, challenges and opportunities that competition and collaboration present us with in an academic setting.
Read MoreTOPIC 4: On Teaching Mathematics
The Power of Perception: Mathematics and the Media
Brandon Laing proposes three interesting mathematical problems and contemplates why students may not engage with these problems.
Read MoreTeaching in and as a society
Professor Geo Quinot is clear that academic institutions should increase collaboration in teaching and learning in order to tackle complex social problems.
Read MoreThe Battle of the Memes
Jonathan Shock writes about a different, but very important competition taking place in society today – the competition for the mental space to think about...
Read MoreCompetition: helping or hindering learning?
Hanelie and Danél Adendorff reflect on the competitive nature of learning and suggest that students shy away from collaboration because they are unsure of how...
Read MoreGrowing Up A Mathematician
Lourens van Niekerk shares with us his inspiring story of his mathematics journey. He shares with us his initial interest in mathematics that started in...
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