On the Meaning of Uniqueness

• Autores: B.A. Shipman
• Localización: Primus: problems, resources, and issues in mathematics undergraduate studies, ISSN 1051-1970, Vol. 23, Nº. 3, 2013, págs. 224-233
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This article analyzes four questions on the meaning of uniqueness that have contrasting answers in common language versus mathematical language. The investigations stem from a scenario in which students interpreted uniqueness according to a definition from standard English, that is, different from the mathematical meaning, in defining an injective function. The analysis of these two viewpoints in different mathematical contexts provides perspectives on the meaning of uniqueness that will generate engaging class discussions in any course where the concept of uniqueness arises.