ERIC Number: EJ769594
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 9
Abstractor: ERIC
Reference Count: 9
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0730-8639
Winning Moves and Illuminating Mathematical Patterns
Ginat, David
Mathematics and Computer Education, v40 n1 p42-50 Win 2006
In this paper, the author aims to offer an elaboration of simple, yet powerful, mathematical patterns through mathematical games. Mathematical games may serve as colorful instructional tools for teachers and textbooks, and may raise students' motivation and intuition. Patterns are fundamental in mathematics and computer science. In the case of games, they may involve integer properties such as parity, primality, and divisibility, as well as invariant properties of repeated actions. The author presents four simply stated, less familiar mathematical games--Co-primes, Interleaved Parity, Proper Divisors, and Powers of 2--and develops the winning strategy for each of the games. Preliminary novice attempts are mentioned, and then instructive strategy developments are presented, through the illumination of underlying mathematical patterns. The author concludes by reflecting on the illuminated patterns and the way they were reached.
Descriptors: Student Motivation, Computer Science, Educational Games, Mathematical Concepts, Mathematics, Learning Strategies, Logical Thinking, Problem Solving, Thinking Skills, Intuition
MATYC Journal Inc. Mathematics and Computer Education, P.O. Box 158, Old Bethpage, NY 11804. Tel: 516-822-5475; Web site: http://www.macejournal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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