NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1238317
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1479-4802
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
On Mathematicians' Disagreements on What Constitutes a Proof
Weber, Keith; Czocher, Jennifer
Research in Mathematics Education, v21 n3 p251-270 2019
We report the results of a study in which we asked 94 mathematicians to evaluate whether five arguments qualified as proofs. We found that mathematicians disagreed as to whether a visual argument and a computer-assisted argument qualified as proofs, but they viewed these proofs as atypical. The mathematicians were also aware that many other mathematicians might not share their judgment and viewed their own judgment as contextual. For typical proofs using standard inferential methods, there was a strong consensus amongst the mathematicians that these proofs were valid. An instructional consequence is that for the standard inferential methods covered in introductory proof courses, we should have the instructional goal that students appreciate why these inferential methods are valid. However, for controversial inferential methods such as visual inferences, students should understand why mathematicians have not reached a consensus on their validity.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A