NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ987037
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-279X
EISSN: N/A
What Do You Find? Students Investigating Patterns in Pascal's Triangle
Obara, Samuel
MathAMATYC Educator, v4 n1 p63-68 Sep 2012
In this paper, students used problem-solving skills to investigate what patterns exist in the Pascal triangle and incorporated technology using Geometer's Sketchpad (GSP) in the process. Students came up with patterns such as natural numbers, triangular numbers, and Fibonacci numbers. Although the patterns inherent in Pascal's triangle may seem obvious to mathematics instructors, the students in this situation had a difficult time finding them. Problem solving is often noted to be one of the most important parts of mathematics learning, "however, solving problems is not only a goal of learning mathematics but also a major means of doing so" (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000, p. 51). Teaching problem solving should involve emphasis on the method being employed other than just solving a problem to find a specific answer. (Contains 9 figures and 7 tables.)
American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges. 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134. Tel: 901-333-4643; Fax: 901-333-4651; e-mail: amatyc@amatyc.org; Web site: http://www.amatyc.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A