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Th e paper discusses the possibilities of using contents of history of mathematics as a supporting strategy in the teaching of mathematics. Th ere is plenty of research that promotes using historical content in mathematics lessons, but only a few of them are of empirical nature. We will give the brief overview of some studies and consider diff erent possibilities of integrating contents of history of mathematics into the teaching and learning process. Moreover, we will point out some benefi ts of using the history of mathematics such as: increasing students' motivation, decreasing anxiety related to the subject, building positive attitude towards mathematics, better understanding and development of mathematical concepts, changing the students' perception about mathematics, development of multicultural approach to the subject, more chances for individual work and learning by discovery, helping students to understand the role and importance of mathematics in society etc. Furthermore, we are analyzing the current state of mathematical education in Serbia and some other countries from the aspect of integrating the contents of the history of mathematics into teaching. Th e main goal of this paper is to investigate the teachers' beliefs and attitudes about possibilities of using history of mathematics in their practice. Based on the results of the inquiry we will suggest possible ways of how to include and use the history of mathematics in mathematics classrooms.

Besides the actual solving of the problem, the so-called setting up the problem plays a very important role in the field of mathematics and mathematical thinking. When students are engaged in the activity of setting up the problem, they are actually placed in the ?role? of the mathematician as a scientist and offered a possibility to experience a different aspect of mathematics. Still, regardless of the positive effects shown by the results of numerous research studies, this activity is not sufficiently represented in the actual teaching practice of mathematics. Since teachers have the key role in the preparation and implementation of the activity of setting up the problem and their actions can influence the quality of knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts, as well as students? ideas, the main aim of the research was to determine whether class teachers recognised the importance of organising the activity of setting up the problem in teaching mathematics to beginners. The sample included 161 class teachers. Data were collected using an attitude scale. Combined standard quantitative and qualitative methods were used to process the data. Research results have confirmed that class teachers hold a positive attitude towards the activity of setting up the problem. The established differences with respect to class teachers? work experience and the level of education point to the fact that more attention should be devoted to university education and in-service teacher training when it comes to the activity of setting up the problem. Future research should analyse the extent to which class teachers? teaching practices actually reflect their attitudes.

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