Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Mathematics Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

University of Montana

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 151 - 180 of 426

Full-Text Articles in Mathematics

Two-Step Arithmetic Word Problems, Enrique Castro-Martínez, Antonio Frías-Zorilla Jan 2013

Two-Step Arithmetic Word Problems, Enrique Castro-Martínez, Antonio Frías-Zorilla

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This study uses the perspective of schemes to analyze characteristics of arithmetic word problems that can influence the process of translation from the verbal statement to an arithmetical representation. One characteristic that we have detected in the two-step word problems is the presence of one or two connections (nodes) in schemes that represent them, and this paper explores whether the number of nodes affects the activation of the associated schemas. With students from the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school (11 and 12 years of age), we analyze the written productions and would stress that the number of connections …


Trajectory Of A Problem: A Study In Teacher Training, Alain Kuzniak, Bernard Parzysz, Laurent Vivier Jan 2013

Trajectory Of A Problem: A Study In Teacher Training, Alain Kuzniak, Bernard Parzysz, Laurent Vivier

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Problems are frequently used in mathematics to introduce and convey new notions and skills. Hence, teachers transform and adjust those problems to their students' level. The present study focuses on this transformation process on the particular case of a geometric problem posed by two teacher educators in one French Institute for Teacher Training. The whole process is described as a trajectory of the problem through various institutions from training center to secondary school and back. Before presenting the notion of trajectory of the problem, some elements about a general theoretical frame which refers to didactics of mathematics are presented.


Primary School Teacher’S Noticing Of Students’ Mathematical Thinking In Problem Solving, Ceneida Fernández, Salvador Llinares, Julia Valls Jan 2013

Primary School Teacher’S Noticing Of Students’ Mathematical Thinking In Problem Solving, Ceneida Fernández, Salvador Llinares, Julia Valls

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Professional noticing of students’ mathematical thinking in problem solving involves the identification of noteworthy mathematical ideas of students’ mathematical thinking and its interpretation to make decisions in the teaching of mathematics. The goal of this study is to begin to characterize pre-service primary school teachers’ noticing of students’ mathematical thinking when students solve tasks that involve proportional and non-proportional reasoning. From the analysis of how pre-service primary school teachers notice students’ mathematical thinking, we have identified an initial framework with four levels of development. This framework indicates a possible trajectory in the development of primary teachers’ professional noticing.


Tme Volume 10, Numbers 1 And 2 Jan 2013

Tme Volume 10, Numbers 1 And 2

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


Introduction To International Perspectives On Problem Solving Research In Mathematics Education, Luis Moreno Armella, Manuel Santos-Trigo Jan 2013

Introduction To International Perspectives On Problem Solving Research In Mathematics Education, Luis Moreno Armella, Manuel Santos-Trigo

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Any field of research and innovation must be exposed to revisions, criticisms and to an intense scrutiny not only to discuss the state of the art but, hopefully, to identify prospective changes and new areas of study and exploration as well.


Reflections On Problem Solving Theory And Practice, Alan H. Schoenfeld Jan 2013

Reflections On Problem Solving Theory And Practice, Alan H. Schoenfeld

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this article, the author reflects on the current state of mathematical problem solving, both in theory and in instruction. The impact of the book Mathematical Problem solving (Schoenfeld, 1985) is also discussed, along with implications of problem solving today with the advent of 21st century technologies.


Cognitive Processes Developed By Students When Solving Mathematical Problems Within Technological Environments, Fernando Barrera-Mora, Aarón Reyes-Rodríguez Jan 2013

Cognitive Processes Developed By Students When Solving Mathematical Problems Within Technological Environments, Fernando Barrera-Mora, Aarón Reyes-Rodríguez

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this paper we document and discuss how the use of digital technologies in problem solving activities can help students to develop mathematical competences; particularly, we analyze the characteristics of reasoning that students develop as a result of using Cabri Geometry software in problem solving. We argue that the dynamical nature of representations constructed with Cabri, and the availability of measure tools integrated to it are important elements that enhance students’ ability to think mathematically and foster the implementation of several heuristic strategies in problem solving processes.


Mathematical Problem Solving In Training Elementary Teachers From A Semiotic Logical Approach, Martín Socas, Josefa Hernández Jan 2013

Mathematical Problem Solving In Training Elementary Teachers From A Semiotic Logical Approach, Martín Socas, Josefa Hernández

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The aim of this article is to consider the professional knowledge and competences of mathematics teachers in compulsory education, and to propose basic tasks and activities in an initial training programme in the framework of a global proposal for “Immersion” in the curriculum of the educational phase which the trainee teacher would go on to work in. Problem-solving, in this context, is considered as being an inherent part of mathematics and this is described in terms of problem-solving, establishing connections between concepts, operations and implicit processes in the mathematical activity (conceptual field) and their relationships problem-solving; and it is assumed …


Becoming Aware Of Mathematical Gaps In New Curricular Materials: A Resource-Based Analysis Of Teaching Practice, José Guzman, Carolyn Kieran Jan 2013

Becoming Aware Of Mathematical Gaps In New Curricular Materials: A Resource-Based Analysis Of Teaching Practice, José Guzman, Carolyn Kieran

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The study featured in this article, with its central focus on resources-in-use, draws upon salient aspects of the documentational approach of didactics. It includes an a priori analysis of the curricular resources being used by a teacher for the first time, followed by detailed in situ observations of the unfolding of her teaching practice involving these resources. The central mathematical problem of the lesson being analyzed deals with families of polynomial functions. The analysis highlights the teacher’s growing awareness of the mathematical gaps in the resources she is using, which we conjecture to be a first step for her in …


Developing Problem Solving Experiences In Practical Action Projects, François Pluvinage Jan 2013

Developing Problem Solving Experiences In Practical Action Projects, François Pluvinage

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Problem solving doubtless is an essential element of mathematical learning, so that mathematics educators often are satisfied when finding situations that lead their students to such activity. But in many cases, the chosen situations and the ways to guide students' works are not sufficiently analyzed from a didactic point of view. Our goal in the present analysis is to underline the possible ways for managing the situations, and to exhibit the parameters that educators have at their disposition within their role as mediator between students and mathematical knowledge and know-how.


Framing The Use Of Computational Technology In Problem Solving Approaches, Manuel Santos-Trigo, Matías Camacho Machín Jan 2013

Framing The Use Of Computational Technology In Problem Solving Approaches, Manuel Santos-Trigo, Matías Camacho Machín

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Mathematical tasks are key ingredient to foster teachers and students’ development and construction of mathematical thinking. The use of distinct computational tools offers teachers a variety of ways to represent and explore mathematical tasks which often extends problem solving approaches based on the use of paper and pencil. We sketch a framework to characterize ways of reasoning that emerge as result of using computational technology to solve a task that involves dealing with variation phenomena.


Thoughts About Research On Mathematical Problem- Solving Instruction, Frank K. Lester Jr. Jan 2013

Thoughts About Research On Mathematical Problem- Solving Instruction, Frank K. Lester Jr.

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this article, the author, who has written extensively about mathematical problem solving over the past 40 years, discusses some of his current thinking about the nature of problem-solving and its relation to other forms of mathematical activity. He also suggests several proficiencies teachers should acquire in order for them to be successful in helping students become better problem solvers and presents a framework for research on problem-solving instruction. He closes the article with a list of principles about problem-solving instruction that have emerged since the early 1970s.


Developing The Art Of Seeing The Easy When Solving Problems, Alfinio Flores, Jaclyn Braker Jan 2013

Developing The Art Of Seeing The Easy When Solving Problems, Alfinio Flores, Jaclyn Braker

The Mathematics Enthusiast

For Leonardo da Vinci “saper vedere”, that is, knowing how to see, or having the art to see, was the key to unlocking the secrets of the visible world. Saper vedere included a precise sensory intuitive faculty as well as artistic imagination (Heydenreich, 1954) which were at the root of Leonardo’s inventiveness and creativity. According to Leonardo, to understand, you only have to see things properly (Bramly 1994, p. 264). Knowing how to see is also important in mathematics. The Italian mathematician Bruno de Finetti (1967) stresses this importance in his book on “Saper vedere” in mathematics. He highlights several …


Obtaining Estimators From Correlation Coefficients: The Correlation Estimation System And R, Rudy Gideon Oct 2012

Obtaining Estimators From Correlation Coefficients: The Correlation Estimation System And R, Rudy Gideon

Mathematical Sciences Faculty Publications

Correlation coefficients are generally viewed as summaries, causing them to be underutilized. Creating functions from them leads to their use in diverse areas of statistics. Because there are many correlation coefficients (see, for example, Gideon (2007)) this extension makes possible a very broad range of statistical estimators that rivals least squares. The whole area could be called a "Correlation Estimation System." This paper outlines some of the numerous possibilities for using the system and gives some illustrative examples. Detailed explanations are developed in earlier papers. The formulae to make possible both the estimation and some of the computer coding to …


Inquiry- Without Posing Questions?, Helle Alrø, Marit Johnsen-Høines Jul 2012

Inquiry- Without Posing Questions?, Helle Alrø, Marit Johnsen-Høines

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This article discusses what inquiry conversations could mean when learning mathematics.3 Referring to Gadamar’s distinction of true and apparent questions it is discussed what it takes to be inquiring and if this attitude necessarily includes posing questions. Which qualities are expressed in inquiring questions, and what other ways of communicating may have an inquiring function in learning conversations? The intention is to develop and frame the concept of ’inquiry’ in learning conversations, and this is the focus of analysis of an authentic classroom situation, where teacher and pupils are exploring the concept of ’volume’. Further, this analysis informs a …


Investigating Engineers’ Needs As A Part Of Designing A Professional Development Program For Engineers Who Are To Become Mathematics Teachers, Ragnhild Johanne Rensaa Jul 2012

Investigating Engineers’ Needs As A Part Of Designing A Professional Development Program For Engineers Who Are To Become Mathematics Teachers, Ragnhild Johanne Rensaa

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The average age for teachers in mathematics and physics in Norway is about 60 (Sørensen, 2003) and few students taking a masters degree in a science subject choose a career as a teacher (KD, 2006). This implies that there may be a critical lack of science teachers in schools in the near future (Næss, 2002). At the same time, rather many graduated engineers – who have worked as engineers sometimes several years – want to contribute to the educational setting by taking part time jobs as teachers; lector-II (Vassnes, 2008). To combine this supply and demand for qualified teachers in …


The Role Of Theory When Studying Epistemological Characterizations Of Mathematics Lecture(R)S, Magnus Österholm Jul 2012

The Role Of Theory When Studying Epistemological Characterizations Of Mathematics Lecture(R)S, Magnus Österholm

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The study presented in this paper is a contribution to the scientific discussion about the role and use of theory in mathematics education research. In particular, focus is here on the use of and comparison between different types of theories and frameworks, which is discussed primarily through the example of an empirical study examining what types of messages about mathematics are conveyed in lectures. The main purpose of this paper is to examine how different types of theories and frameworks can affect different parts of the research process.


University Mathematics Teachers' Views On The Required Reasoning In Calculus Exams, Ewa Bergqvist Jul 2012

University Mathematics Teachers' Views On The Required Reasoning In Calculus Exams, Ewa Bergqvist

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Students often use imitative reasoning, i.e. copy algorithms or recall facts, when solving mathematical tasks. Research shows that this type of imitative reasoning might weaken the students' understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts. In a previous study, the author classified tasks from 16 final exams from introductory calculus courses at Swedish universities. The results showed that it was possible to pass 15 of the exams, and solve most of the tasks, using imitative reasoning. This study examines the teachers' views on the reasoning that students are expected to perform during their own and others mathematics exams. The results indicate that …


Tme Volume 9, Number 3 Jul 2012

Tme Volume 9, Number 3

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


Beyond Post-Modernity In Mathematics Education, Ole Skovsmose Jul 2012

Beyond Post-Modernity In Mathematics Education, Ole Skovsmose

The Mathematics Enthusiast

A radical form of postmodernity is presented with reference to Nietzsche’s ideas with respect to truth, knowledge, sciences, progress, democracy, and ethical values in general. Thereafter is presented Foucault’s archaeology of knowledge. This brings us forward to the notion of genealogy, which is a defining idea for the postmodern conception of critique. However, it is emphasised that a critique can address the generativity of mathematical rationality by considering mathematics-based fabrications. Finally, imagination is presented as yet another feature of a critical enterprise. It is illustrated how such a three dimensional critical enterprise is relevant for both mathematics and mathematics education. …


Loss Of Dimension In The History Of Calculus And In Student Reasoning, Robert Ely Jul 2012

Loss Of Dimension In The History Of Calculus And In Student Reasoning, Robert Ely

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Research indicates that calculus students often imagine objects losing a dimension entirely when a limit is taken, and that this image serves as an obstacle to their understanding of the fundamental theorem of calculus. Similar imagery, in the form of “indivisibles”, was similarly unsupportive of the development of the fundamental theorem in the mid-1600s, unlike the more powerful subsequent imagery of infinitesimals. This parallel between student issues and historical issues suggests several implications for how to provide students with imagery that is more productive for understanding the fundamental theorem, such as the imagery of infinitesimals or the more modern quantitative …


Demographics Of Self-Selected Participants In Mathematical Tracks In Swedish Upper Secondary School, Linda Mattsson Jul 2012

Demographics Of Self-Selected Participants In Mathematical Tracks In Swedish Upper Secondary School, Linda Mattsson

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This study investigates the three demographic factors gender, geographical origin and parents educational level among self-selected students in mathematical tracks in Swedish Upper Secondary School (n=147). Comparisons are made, through statistical tests of significance, with corresponding student distributions on the closely related Natural Science program (n = 1528). Data is obtained from Statistics Sweden. Results confirm that females are under-represented in mathematical tracks (p<0,01) and that parents of students in mathematical tracks have higher educational level than parents of students in the comparison group (p<0,05). Results do not show that students with foreign background are underrepresented in mathematical tracks, but raise questions about under-representation of Swedish students. Possible implications of these findings for these and similar programs are discussed.


Foundations For Success In Mathematical Competitions: A Study Of Best Praxis In Lower Secondary Schools In Norway, Steinar Thorvaldsen, Lars Vavik Jul 2012

Foundations For Success In Mathematical Competitions: A Study Of Best Praxis In Lower Secondary Schools In Norway, Steinar Thorvaldsen, Lars Vavik

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The purpose of this study is to investigate the following questions: What factors leads to success in mathematics, and how can these success factors and qualities be described? Will the teacher’s education and pedagogical praxis have an impact on good learning results? We report results from a case-control association study on among high achievement classes in mathematics in Norway. The data were collected from matched pairs of schools, paired on the basis of location and socioeconomic status. The questionnaire was first distributed to teachers in 38 Norwegian secondary schools at grade 9, which have had repeated success in the annual …


From Designing To Implementing Mathematical Tasks: Investigating The Changes In The Nature Of The T-Shirt Task, Claire Vaugelade Berg Jul 2012

From Designing To Implementing Mathematical Tasks: Investigating The Changes In The Nature Of The T-Shirt Task, Claire Vaugelade Berg

The Mathematics Enthusiast

From looking at research literature it is possible to see that research on design, implementation and analysis of mathematical tasks is an actual theme: there is a special issue of the Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education (2007) with Anne Watson, John Mason and Orit Zaslavsky as editors (Watson and Mason, 2007), a book published by Clarke, Grevholm and Millman (2009) concerning “Tasks in primary mathematics teacher education” and under ICME 11 in Mexico (2008) the title of one of the Topic Study Groups was “Research and development in task design and analysis”. In addition several substantial research projects conducted in …


Values In Effective Mathematics Lessons In Sweden: What Do They Tell Us?, Aihui Peng, Mikaela Nyroos Jul 2012

Values In Effective Mathematics Lessons In Sweden: What Do They Tell Us?, Aihui Peng, Mikaela Nyroos

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This study aims to examine values in effective mathematics lessons in Sweden from the perspectives of students in different groups and their teachers. By using methods with lesson observations, student focus group interviews and teacher interviews, it shows that instructional explanation and classroom atmosphere with quietness are shared-values of students and their teachers. The findings propose some crucial issues which related to how mathematics teaching could be adjusted to different students’ learning conditions and whether it needs more instructional explanation in mathematics teaching in Sweden.


Evaluating Mersenne Primes Using A Single Quadrant Expanding Square, Cory P. Daignault, Douglas Sprague, Joe L. Mott Jul 2012

Evaluating Mersenne Primes Using A Single Quadrant Expanding Square, Cory P. Daignault, Douglas Sprague, Joe L. Mott

The Mathematics Enthusiast

By forming a table of sequential odd numbers using a single quadrant expanding square pattern it was observed that multiple Mersenne primes fall into the first column. We prove that the Mersenne primes which fall into the first column will be of the form p = 3 mod 4, where p is the Mersenne prime exponent. Focusing the search of primes to those which fall into the first column of this square may be a means to increase the speed at which large primes are discovered.


From Conic Intersections To Toric Intersections: The Case Of The Isoptic Curves Of An Ellipse, Thierry Dana-Picard, Nurit Zehavi, Giora Mann Jan 2012

From Conic Intersections To Toric Intersections: The Case Of The Isoptic Curves Of An Ellipse, Thierry Dana-Picard, Nurit Zehavi, Giora Mann

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Starting from the study of the orthoptic curves of parabolas and ellipses, we generalize to the case of isoptic curves for any angle, i.e. the geometric locus of points from which a parabola or an ellipse are viewed under a given angle. This leads to the investigation of spiric curves and to the construction of these curves as an actual intersection of a self-intersecting torus with a plane. The usage of a Computer Algebra System facilitated this investigation.


Student Enrolment In Classes With Frequent Mathematical Discussion And Its Longitudinal Effect On Mathematics Achievement, Karl W. Kosko Jan 2012

Student Enrolment In Classes With Frequent Mathematical Discussion And Its Longitudinal Effect On Mathematics Achievement, Karl W. Kosko

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Mathematical discussion has been identified as being beneficial to students’ understandings of mathematics (Goos, 1995; Lee, 2006). Students in classrooms with more effective math discussion have been observed to engage more frequently in discussion (e.g. Hiebert & Wearne, 1993), but the converse is not necessarily true (e.g. Manouchehri & St. John, 2006). Utilizing hierarchical linear modeling, the present study examined student enrollment in classes with more and less frequent discussion and such enrollment’s effect on mathematics achievement over time. Results indicated that students enrolled in classes that discuss math “almost every day” consistently have higher math achievement than students enrolled …


Mathematical Competitions In Hungary: Promoting A Tradition Of Excellence & Creativity, Julianna Connelly Stockton Jan 2012

Mathematical Competitions In Hungary: Promoting A Tradition Of Excellence & Creativity, Julianna Connelly Stockton

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Hungary has long been known for its outstanding production of mathematical talent. Extracurricular programs such as camps and competitions form a strong foundation within the Hungarian tradition. New types of competitions in recent years include team competitions, multiple choice competitions, and some exclusively for students who are not in a special mathematics class. This study explores some of the recent developments in Hungarian mathematics competitions and the potential implications these changes have for the very competition-driven system that currently exists. The founding of so many new competitions reflects a possible shift in the focus and purpose of competitions away from …


Some Reflections On Mathematics And Mathematicians: Simple Questions, Complex Answers, Juan Eduardo Nápoles Valdes Jan 2012

Some Reflections On Mathematics And Mathematicians: Simple Questions, Complex Answers, Juan Eduardo Nápoles Valdes

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this work we present some reflections on mathematics and mathematicians. Special emphasis is placed on the questions (1) what is mathematics? And (2) what is a mathematician? Some reflections and open questions are posed at the end of the work.