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 31 - 60 of 426

Full-Text Articles in Mathematics

Forms Of Knowledge Of Advanced Mathematics For Teaching, Julianna Connelly Stockton, Nicholas H. Wasserman Jan 2017

Forms Of Knowledge Of Advanced Mathematics For Teaching, Julianna Connelly Stockton, Nicholas H. Wasserman

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this paper, we explore in more detail why knowing advanced mathematics might be beneficial for teachers, specifically in relation to their classroom practice. Rather than by listing courses or specific advanced topics, as though those were the agents of change, we do so by considering advanced mathematical content for teachers in terms of more general forms of knowledge. In particular, we identify five forms of knowledge of advanced mathematics for teaching: peripheral, evolutionary, axiomatic, logical, and inferential. These categories were derived from analysis of an extensive mapping process linking K-12 content to relevant advanced mathematics. We connect these forms …


The Historical Connection Of Fourier Analysis To Music, Shunteal Jessop Jan 2017

The Historical Connection Of Fourier Analysis To Music, Shunteal Jessop

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This paper will discuss the relevance between mathematics and music throughout a few periods of history. The paper will first discuss how the Ancient Chinese hired mathematicians in order to “perfect the music” used in the court rooms. Mathematics was typically used in music to develop ratios and intervals that are found in music. This paper will then discuss the history of Fourier analysis, as well as give a brief history of Jean Baptiste Fourier. The Fourier analysis was used to find naturally occurring harmonics, to model sound, and to define sound by breaking it up into pieces. Many examples …


A Symbolical Approach To Negative Numbers, Paul M.E. Shutler Jan 2017

A Symbolical Approach To Negative Numbers, Paul M.E. Shutler

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Recent Early Algebra research indicates that it is better to teach negative numbers symbolically, as uncompleted subtractions or “difference pairs”, an idea due to Hamilton, rather than abstractly as they are currently taught, since all the properties of negative numbers then follow from properties of the subtraction operation with which children are already familiar. Symbolical algebra peaked in the 19th Century, but was superseded by abstract algebra in the 20th Century, because Peacock’s permanence principle, which asserted that solutions obtained symbolically would actually be correct, remained unproven. The main aim of this paper is to provide this missing proof, in …


Problem Posing In Consumer Mathematics Classes: Not Just For Future Mathematicians, Jeff Irvine Jan 2017

Problem Posing In Consumer Mathematics Classes: Not Just For Future Mathematicians, Jeff Irvine

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Problem posing is recognized as a key component of mathematics (Ellerton, 2013). However, in many curricula, problem solving often dominates over problem posing (Stoyanova, 2003). This focus on problem solving exists despite research that shows that problem posing improves students' problem-solving skills, attitudes, confidence, understanding of concepts, and mathematical thinking (Singer, Ellerton, & Cai, 2013); reinforces basic mathematical skills, increases motivation, responsibility, and thinking flexibility (Ponte & Henriques, 2013); and is useful for teachers to assess students' cognitive processes, identify misconceptions, and modify instruction (Ponte & Henriques, 2013). Further, problem posing can play a large part in student motivation (McLeod, …


Teacher Development And Seventh Graders’ Achievement On Representing And Solving Equations, Sheree T. Sharpe, Analucia D. Schliemann Jan 2017

Teacher Development And Seventh Graders’ Achievement On Representing And Solving Equations, Sheree T. Sharpe, Analucia D. Schliemann

The Mathematics Enthusiast

We analyze the impact of a teacher development program based on a functions approach to algebra on 7th graders understanding of equations and examine how students’ score gains during the academic year relate to their teachers’ initial level of mathematical knowledge of algebra, functions, and graphs. Students from participating teachers’ and their control peers completed a mathematics assessment at the start and at the end of the school year the teachers were taking the program. We determined teachers’ initial levels of mathematics knowledge through a written assessment given at the start of the program. Although both groups of students improved …


The Effects Of A Project-Based Course On Students’ Attitudes Toward Mathematics And Students’ Achievement At A Two-Year College, Poranee K. Julian Jan 2017

The Effects Of A Project-Based Course On Students’ Attitudes Toward Mathematics And Students’ Achievement At A Two-Year College, Poranee K. Julian

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of Foundations of Quantitative Reasoning course on students’ attitudes toward mathematics and students’ achievement. The Foundations of Quantitative Reasoning is a project-based course containing several practical topics which students apply in daily life. It is offered at the University of Cincinnati as an alternative pathway for non-STEM majors to fulfill their mathematics requirements. Pre-survey-post-survey and pretest-posttest designs were used to test the effectiveness of the treatment regarding the attitudes toward mathematics and mathematics achievement respectively. The participants in this study were 21 students enrolled in a Foundations of Quantitative Reasoning course and …


Counting Subgraphs In F-Free Graphs, Cory T. Palmer Oct 2016

Counting Subgraphs In F-Free Graphs, Cory T. Palmer

University Grant Program Reports

During the funded period I continued what had been a preliminary investigation into a generalization of the central theory of extremal graph theory. With the help of funding from the UGP grant I was able to cover the travel expenses for several very productive visits.


Editorial, Bharath Sriraman Aug 2016

Editorial, Bharath Sriraman

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


Tme Volume 13, Number 3 Aug 2016

Tme Volume 13, Number 3

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


The Secret Life Of 1/N: A Journey Far Beyond The Decimal Point, Christopher Lyons Aug 2016

The Secret Life Of 1/N: A Journey Far Beyond The Decimal Point, Christopher Lyons

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The decimal expansions of the numbers 1/n (such as 1/3 = .03333..., 1/7 = 0.142857...) are most often viewed as tools for approximating quantities to a desired degree of accuracy. The aim of this exposition is to show how these modest expressions in fact have much more to offer, particularly in the case when the expansions are infinitely long. First we discuss how simply asking about the period (that is, the length of the repeating sequence of digits) of the decimal expansion of 1/n naturally leads to more sophisticated ideas from elementary number theory, as well as to …


The History Of Algorithmic Complexity, Audrey A. Nasar Aug 2016

The History Of Algorithmic Complexity, Audrey A. Nasar

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This paper provides a historical account of the development of algorithmic complexity in a form that is suitable to instructors of mathematics at the high school or undergraduate level. The study of algorithmic complexity, despite being deeply rooted in mathematics, is usually restricted to the computer science curriculum. By providing a historical account of algorithmic complexity through a mathematical lens, this paper aims to equip mathematics educators with the necessary background and framework for incorporating the analysis of algorithmic complexity into mathematics courses as early on as algebra or pre-calculus.


Integral Of Radical Trigonometric Functions Revisited, Natanael Karjanto, Binur Yermukanova Aug 2016

Integral Of Radical Trigonometric Functions Revisited, Natanael Karjanto, Binur Yermukanova

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This article revisits an integral of radical trigonometric functions. It presents several methods of integration where the integrand takes the form 1+/- sin x or 1+/- cos x. The integral has applications in Calculus where it appears as the length of cardioid represented in polar coordinates.


Mathematical Problem-Solving Via Wallas’ Four Stages Of Creativity: Implications For The Undergraduate Classroom, Milos Savic Aug 2016

Mathematical Problem-Solving Via Wallas’ Four Stages Of Creativity: Implications For The Undergraduate Classroom, Milos Savic

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The central theme in this article is that certain problem-solving frameworks (e.g., Polya, 1957; Carlson & Bloom, 2005) can be viewed within Wallas’ four stages of mathematical creativity. The author attempts to justify the previous claim by breaking down each of Wallas’ four components (preparation, incubation, illumination, verification) using both mathematical creativity and problem-solving/proving literature. Since creativity seems to be important in mathematics at the undergraduate level (Schumacher & Siegel, 2015), the author then outlines three observations about the lack of fostering mathematical creativity in the classroom. Finally, conclusions and future research are discussed, with emphasis on using technological advances …


Aesthetics In School Mathematics: A Potential Model And A Possible Lesson, Hartono Tjoe Aug 2016

Aesthetics In School Mathematics: A Potential Model And A Possible Lesson, Hartono Tjoe

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Earlier studies on improving classroom practice in mathematics have suggested a closer attention to nurturing an aesthetic appreciation for mathematics in students’ learning experiences. Recent evidence nonetheless reveals little indication of its presence. This article offers a potential model of the case for aesthetics in school mathematics. Central to this model is the harmonious hierarchy of necessity, existence, and uniqueness without any of which the case for aesthetics in student learning might be suboptimal, if not untenable. This article offers an example of the proposed model using a possible lesson designed to engage students aesthetically in the learning of mathematics. …


Plato On The Foundations Of Modern Theorem Provers, Ines Hipolito Aug 2016

Plato On The Foundations Of Modern Theorem Provers, Ines Hipolito

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Is it possible to achieve such a proof that is independent of both acts and dispositions of the human mind? Plato is one of the great contributors to the foundations of mathematics. He discussed, 2400 years ago, the importance of clear and precise definitions as fundamental entities in mathematics, independent of the human mind. In the seventh book of his masterpiece, The Republic, Plato states “arithmetic has a very great and elevating effect, compelling the soul to reason about abstract number, and rebelling against the introduction of visible or tangible objects into the argument” (525c). In the light of this …


Meet The Authors Aug 2016

Meet The Authors

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


Use Of Mathematical Tasks Of Teaching And The Corresponding Lmt Meaures In The Malawi Context, Mercy Kazima, Arne Jakobsen, Dun N. Kasoka Feb 2016

Use Of Mathematical Tasks Of Teaching And The Corresponding Lmt Meaures In The Malawi Context, Mercy Kazima, Arne Jakobsen, Dun N. Kasoka

The Mathematics Enthusiast

We discuss the adaptation and piloting of the previously developed U.S.-specific measures of mathematical knowledge for teaching to the Malawi context. The purpose is to produce measures that can be used to evaluate changes in mathematical knowledge for teaching gained through primary teacher education, thus informing teacher educators on the most effective evidence-based practices. By interviewing 14 teachers, we first examine whether the 16 recurrent mathematical tasks of teaching tasks identified in the U.S. are applicable to the Malawi context. This is followed by the discussion of the adaptability of the U.S. developed number concept and operations LMT measures. Next, …


Assessing Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: The Role Of Teaching Context, Geoffrey Phelps, Heather Howell Feb 2016

Assessing Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: The Role Of Teaching Context, Geoffrey Phelps, Heather Howell

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Assessments of mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT), which are often designed to measure specialized types of mathematical knowledge, typically include a representation of teaching practice in the assessment task. This analysis makes use of an existing, validated set of 10 assessment tasks to both describe and explore the function of the teaching contexts represented. We found that teaching context serves a variety of functions, some more critical than others. These context features play an important role in both the design of assessments of MKT and the types of mathematical knowledge assessed.


Knowledge For Equitable Mathematics Teaching: The Case Of Latino Ells In U.S. Schools, Aaron T. Wilson Feb 2016

Knowledge For Equitable Mathematics Teaching: The Case Of Latino Ells In U.S. Schools, Aaron T. Wilson

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This paper reports the exploration of an aspect of knowledge needed for equitable mathematics teaching. Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics to English Language Learners (PCK-MELL) was proposed as a theoretical knowledge construct, a subdomain of MKT, and the construct was investigated through a process of survey instrument development and administration. The survey contained items intended to measure teachers’ knowledge of the obstacles encountered by ELLs in math classes, of the resources that ELLs draw upon, and of instructional strategies for teaching ELLs. Analysis of middle school mathematics teachers’ responses (N = 42) offered insights into how to improve the …


What Does It Take To Develop Assessments Of Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching?: Unpacking The Mathematical Work Of Teaching, Sarah Kate Selling, Nicole Garcia, Deborah L. Ball Feb 2016

What Does It Take To Develop Assessments Of Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching?: Unpacking The Mathematical Work Of Teaching, Sarah Kate Selling, Nicole Garcia, Deborah L. Ball

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In the context of the increased mathematical demands of the Common Core State Standards and data showing that many elementary school teachers lack strong mathematical knowledge for teaching, there is an urgent need to grow teachers’ MKT. With this goal in mind, it is crucial to have research and assessment tools that are able to measure and track aspects of teachers’ MKT at scale. Building on the concept of “mathematical tasks of teaching” (Ball et al., 2008), we report on a new framework that unpacks the mathematical work of teaching that could serve as a scaffold for item writers who …


Guest Editorial: Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: Developing Measures And Measuring Development, Reidar Mosvold, Mark Hoover Feb 2016

Guest Editorial: Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: Developing Measures And Measuring Development, Reidar Mosvold, Mark Hoover

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


Interview Prompts To Uncover Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: Focus On Providing Written Feedback, Yeon Kim Feb 2016

Interview Prompts To Uncover Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching: Focus On Providing Written Feedback, Yeon Kim

The Mathematics Enthusiast

One area of study that has been gathering enthusiastic attention and interest is mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT). How to research MKT, however, is still unsettled despite the plethora of unexamined areas of practice. As one of ways to unearth and measure MKT, this study uses interview prompts designed to providing written feedback, as a target area of practice. This study specifies in what ways the interview prompts are used in order to provide a comprehensive method to researching MKT. From interviews across professional communities with different kinds of mathematical expertise, the author develops a conceptual model based on the …


Making Progress On Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching, Mark Hoover, Reidar Mosvold, Deborah L. Ball, Yvonne Lai Feb 2016

Making Progress On Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching, Mark Hoover, Reidar Mosvold, Deborah L. Ball, Yvonne Lai

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Although the field lacks a theoretically grounded, well-defined, and shared conception of mathematical knowledge required for teaching, there appears to be broad agreement that a specialized body of knowledge is vital to improvement. Further, such a construct serves as the foundation for different kinds of studies with different agendas. This article reviews what is known and needs to be known to advance research on mathematical knowledge for teaching. It argues for three priorities: (i) finding common ground for engaging in complementary studies that together advance the field; (ii) innovating and reflecting on method; and (iii) addressing the relationship of such …


Tme Volume 13, Numbers 1 And 2 Feb 2016

Tme Volume 13, Numbers 1 And 2

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


Teachers And Their Educators - Views On Contents And Their Development Needs In Mathematics Teacher Education, Mika Koponen, Mervi A. Asikainen, Antti Viholainen, Pekka E. Hirvonen Feb 2016

Teachers And Their Educators - Views On Contents And Their Development Needs In Mathematics Teacher Education, Mika Koponen, Mervi A. Asikainen, Antti Viholainen, Pekka E. Hirvonen

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Finland has scored well in international assessments (e.g. PISA, TIMSS), and the pressure to attain excellent scores has activated a drive toward even more effective mathematics teacher education. This article presents the results of a qualitative assessment of the mathematics teacher education provided by the University of Eastern Finland. In this study, the views held by practicing teachers (N=101) and teacher educators (N=19) are compared so that the outstanding development needs of mathematics teacher education in terms of their contents can be revealed. The data was gathered via an electronic survey and was mainly analyzed using data-driven methods. In addition, …


In-Service Teachers' Reasoning About Scenarios Of Teaching Mathematics To English Language Learners, Sultan Turkan Feb 2016

In-Service Teachers' Reasoning About Scenarios Of Teaching Mathematics To English Language Learners, Sultan Turkan

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The student population in the U.S. and worldwide is becoming increasingly diverse, creating a need to support all learners, especially linguistically and culturally diverse subpopulations such as English language learners (ELLs). From a social equity standpoint, the need to support these learners is critical especially in mathematics classrooms. In the U.S, the demand for mathematics teachers who are adequately prepared to teach ELLs has in fact risen. Yet, little is known about what knowledge base is essential to teach mathematics to ELLs. Driven by the need to explore this knowledge base, in this paper I explore what is involved in …


Why Defining The Construct Matters: An Examination Of Teacher Knowledge Using Different Lenses On One Assessment, Chandra H. Orrill, Allan S. Cohen Feb 2016

Why Defining The Construct Matters: An Examination Of Teacher Knowledge Using Different Lenses On One Assessment, Chandra H. Orrill, Allan S. Cohen

The Mathematics Enthusiast

What does it mean to align an assessment to the domain of interest? In this paper, we analyze teachers’ performance on the Learning Mathematics for Teaching assessment of Proportional Reasoning. Using a mixture Rasch model, we analyze their performance on the entire assessment, then on two different subsets of items from the original assessment. We consider the affordances of different conceptualizations of the domain and consider the implications of the domain definition on the claims we can make about teacher performance. We use a single assessment to illustrate the differences in results that can arise based on the ways in …


Problems In The Theory Of Extremal Graphs And Hypergraphs, Cory T. Palmer Sep 2015

Problems In The Theory Of Extremal Graphs And Hypergraphs, Cory T. Palmer

University Grant Program Reports

Objective: Investigate the tree packing conjecture from graph theory and extremal numbers for hypergraphs.


Guest Editorial: Risk – Mathematical Or Otherwise, Egan J. Chernoff Jun 2015

Guest Editorial: Risk – Mathematical Or Otherwise, Egan J. Chernoff

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.


What Can Education Learn From Real-World Communication Of Risk And Uncertainty?, David Spiegelhalter, Jenny Gage Jun 2015

What Can Education Learn From Real-World Communication Of Risk And Uncertainty?, David Spiegelhalter, Jenny Gage

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Probability is a difficult topic to teach, not least because it is rather unclear what it actually means. Modern risk communication has tackled general public incomprehension of probability statements by using the metaphor of ‘expected frequencies’ – for example, “of 100 people like you, we would expect 10 to have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.” We show how these ideas can be taken into the classroom as the basis for teaching probability, using frequency tree diagrams as the fundamental representation. Empirical frequency trees can be used to summarise a series of classroom experiments, and then …