Constructing a mathematical definition: the case of the tangent
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Nava Gilboaa [1] ; Ivy Kidron [2] ; Tommy Dreyfus [3]
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[1] Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Israel
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[2] Orot Israel College
Orot Israel College
Israel
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[3] Jerusalem College of Technology
Jerusalem College of Technology
Israel
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- Localización: International journal of mathematical education in science and technology, ISSN 0020-739X, Vol. 50, Nº. 3, 2019, págs. 421-446
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
We analyze the process of constructing a definition within the theoretical framework of Abstraction in Context. Pairs of students were engaged in a task designed to engender a need for a definition of a tangent to a graph at a given point, and lead to constructing a definition following that need. The results of our analysis point to two characteristics of the process of constructing a definition: a.
Constructing the concept does not necessarily include constructing its definition; in particular, students were able to use the concept before constructing its definition. b. Students’ language becomes more precise during the constructing process, not only as a characteristic of the process but also as a means of promoting the process.
