Combinatorial proofs of binomial identities involve establishing an identity by arguing that each side enumerates a certain set of outcomes. In this paper, we share results from interviews with experienced provers (mathematicians and upper-division undergraduate mathematics students) and examine one particular aspect of combinatorial proof, namely…

The Students' Approaches to Learning (SAL) tradition comprehends an approach to learning as a combination of students' aims for learning and the processes used to achieve them. The tradition values a deep approach to learning; this is the case also in the context of university mathematics, where a deep approach is seen as a requirement for…

We report on a series of task-based interviews in which nine mathematicians were asked to evaluate a series of six mathematical arguments, purportedly produced either by fellow mathematicians or undergraduate students. In this paper, we attend to the role of context in mathematicians' responses, leading to four themes in expectations when…

Educational success is mainly based on the formation of effective learners. Students' learning is affected by several variables, such as intelligence, motivation, teaching and learning approaches. Research showed that approaches to learning are among one of the most important variables that influence students' learning quality. They are related to…

A growing emphasis on computational thinking worldwide necessitates student proficiency in creating algorithms. Focusing on the use of counterexamples for developing student-invented algorithms, I reanalyze two pieces of data from previously published research, pertaining to two different cases of students' algorithmatizing activity. In both…

We present action research of a problem posed as part of a multi-participant national (Israeli) test checking the mathematical knowledge of high school students at the ages of 16-17, where some of those who solved this problem made an error by using the converse to a well-known theorem, where the converse is not true. In order to examine the…

Despite the recognized importance of mathematical proof in secondary education, there is a limited but growing body of literature indicating how preservice secondary mathematics teachers (PSMTs) view proof and the teaching of proof. The purpose of this survey research was to explore PSMTs' knowledge and beliefs about proof and proof teaching in…

In this paper, we propose an elementary proof of Niven's Theorem in which the tangent function will have a primary role.

The ability to distinguish between exact and inexact differentials is an important part of solving first-order differential equations of the form Adx + Bdy = 0, where A(x,y) [not equal to] 0 and B(x,y) [not equal to] 0 are functions of x and y However, although most undergraduate textbooks motivate the necessary condition for exactness, i.e. the…

This paper reports on themes that arose in an investigation of university lecturers' views on the teaching of linear algebra. This focus on themes was the initial part of a study concentrating on four areas: What is important to teach in a first course in linear algebra? Are there teaching methods which are particularly suited for such a course?…

The present paper describes a dynamic investigation of polygons obtained by reflecting an arbitrary point located inside or outside a given polygon through the midpoints of its sides. The activity was based on hypothesizing on the shape of the reflection polygon that would be obtained, testing the hypotheses using dynamic software, and finding a…

We report on a teaching experiment with pre-service teachers (PSTs) intended to support their understanding of the validity of mathematical arguments, and their ability to formulate mathematical arguments by conducting case analysis. PSTs used Toulmin's framework (1958/2003) and engaged in collective argumentation while solving crypto-arithmetic…

In this note, we report on an implementation of discovery-oriented problems in courses on Real Analysis and Differential Equations. We explain a type of task design that gives students the opportunity to conjecture, refute and prove. What is new is that the complexity in our problems is limited and thus the tasks can also be used in homework…

Many students do not have a deep understanding of the integral concept. This article defines what a deep understanding of the integral is in respect to integration involving one independent variable; briefly discusses factors which may inhibit such an understanding; and then describes the design of a mathematical resource for introducing students…

The nine-point circle theorem is one of the most beautiful and surprising theorems in Euclidean geometry. It establishes an existence of a circle passing through nine points, all of which are related to a single triangle. This paper describes a set of instructional activities that can help students discover the nine-point circle theorem through…