School mathematics in the Colegio Nacional de Minería in the Mid-Nineteenth Century

Abstract

The aim is to analyze school mathematics as taught at the Colegio Nacional de Mineria in Mexico, in the decade from 1850-1860, and its usefulness in solving real problems involved in mining practices. To do this, we study and raise the thesis project developed by a student of the College for the design and engineering of grind mills, used in grinding the ore extracted from the mines. They also discussed other materials involved in the training of engineers of that era, such as manuals, mathematical knowledge at stake and curricula. It also underlines a brief historiography of the College since its inception and until 1859, as well as a biography of the student's stay along the nearly ten years that lapsed between the College and the Escuela Práctica de Minas. The institutionalization of empirical knowledge in solving the problems faced by this student is an important outcome around this study.