The notion of ‘‘system of practices’’ is useful for some types of macro-didactic analysis, particularly when comparing the particular form mathematical knowledge adopts in different institutional frameworks, contexts of use or language games. A finer description of mathematical activity requires the introduction of the six types of primary entities. These objects will
form ‘‘configurations’’, that we define as the network of objects involved and emerging from the systems of pactices and the relationships established between them. These configurations can be epistemic (networks of institutional objects) or cognitive (network of personal objects), and with the system of practices are the basic theoretical tools to describe mathematical knowledge, in its double personal and institutional facets.