Teachers' Difficulty in Writing Mathematical Proof: An Analysis

Charita A. Luna^1, and Sergio R. Canoy Jr.²

¹Department of Mathematics Education, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

²Department of Mathematics, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines

Cite this paper:
Charita A. Luna and Sergio R. Canoy Jr.. Teachers' Difficulty in Writing Mathematical Proof: An Analysis. Journal of Innovations in Teaching and Learning. 2021; 1(1):1-3. doi: 10.12691/jitl-1-1-1

Abstract

This study reports on the result of the analysis of some graduate mathematics students of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in writing or constructing mathematical proofs. The study used the quantitative and qualitative method of research. Results revealed that the teachers who finished their undergraduate degree in pure mathematics perform very well in writing mathematical proofs and females are likely to find difficulty in doing proof than males. Poor experience in writing proof in high school, and college, poor foundation in logic , being non-pure mathematic major and poor understanding of mathematical concepts are some of the causes of difficulties in writing mathematical proofs.

Keywords:
innovative assessment method teacher¡¯s difficulties mathematical proofs mathematics education mathematics teacher

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	De Villiers, M., (1990) The role and function of proof in mathematics. Pythagoras, 24, 17-24.
[2]	Hanna, G. (1990). Some pedagogical aspects of proof. Interchange, 21(1), 6-13.
[3]	Hersh, R. (1993). Proving is convincing and explaining. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 24, 389-399.
[4]	Piaget, J. (1972).The Psychology of the Child. New York: Basic Books.
[5]	Vygotsky, L. (1978) Mind in Society: The development of higher psychological process. Cambridge: Harvard University Press
[6]	Epp, S. (2003). The role of logic in teaching proof. http://condor.depaul.edu/sepp/monthly886-899.pdf.
[7]	Schoenfeld, a. (1985). Mathematics Problem Solving. New York: Academic Press. http:/tip.psychology.org/schoen.html
[8]	Weber, K. (2003). Student's difficulties with proof. The Mathematical Association of America.