Discovering mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Discovering Mathematics
Marie Demlová
Czech Technical University, Prague

Kuopio, September 18, 2004

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Contents
Motivation
Why Mathematics

Mathematical Education

Discovering Mathematics
What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Summary

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education


’... mathematics has two faces;... Mathematics presented in the
Euclidean way appears as a systematic, deductive science; but
mathematics in the making appears as an experimental, inductive
science. Both aspects are as old as mathematics itself.’
G. Polya

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

’... mathematics has two faces;... Mathematics presented in the
Euclidean way appears as a systematic, deductive science; but

mathematics in the making appears as an experimental, inductive
science. Both aspects are as old as mathematics itself.’
G. Polya
’A problem? If you can solve it, it is an exercise; otherwise it’s a
research topic’.
R. Bellman

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary



Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education


Problem solving includes:






experiments
trial-and-error
simplification
analogy
abstraction

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary




Problem solving includes:








Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

experiments
trial-and-error
simplification
analogy
abstraction


Often succesfully replaced by mathematical model.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary



Problem solving includes:










Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

experiments
trial-and-error
simplification
analogy
abstraction

Often succesfully replaced by mathematical model.
A mathematical model is a collection of




concepts,
their attributes,

their interrelations

such that the behavior of the object is imitated.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Mathematical Education
Maths education involves

Marie Demlová


Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Mathematical Education
Maths education involves


knowledge of concepts
i.e. notions, definitions, theorems, etc.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics


Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Mathematical Education
Maths education involves


knowledge of concepts
i.e. notions, definitions, theorems, etc.



ability to use the concepts to solve problems

Marie Demlová


Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Mathematical Education
Maths education involves


knowledge of concepts
i.e. notions, definitions, theorems, etc.



ability to use the concepts to solve problems

What is learning

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Mathematical Education
Maths education involves


knowledge of concepts
i.e. notions, definitions, theorems, etc.



ability to use the concepts to solve problems

What is learning


’Learning is seen as the individual coming to new ways of
conceptualising, comprehending, seeing or understanding the
phenomenon under study; coming to see new features and
relate them to one another and to the whole, as well as to the
wider world.’
S. Booth

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Troubles of math education:

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Troubles of math education:


decline of mathematical abilities and skills
of secondary students

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Troubles of math education:


decline of mathematical abilities and skills
of secondary students



surface learning approach to learning maths

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Troubles of math education:


decline of mathematical abilities and skills
of secondary students



surface learning approach to learning maths



assessments more of skills than of understanding

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Troubles of math education:


decline of mathematical abilities and skills
of secondary students



surface learning approach to learning maths



assessments more of skills than of understanding



lack of undestanding

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Troubles of math education:


decline of mathematical abilities and skills
of secondary students



surface learning approach to learning maths



assessments more of skills than of understanding



lack of undestanding



separately taught maths topics

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Why Mathematics
Mathematical Education

Troubles of math education:


decline of mathematical abilities and skills
of secondary students



surface learning approach to learning maths



assessments more of skills than of understanding



lack of undestanding



separately taught maths topics

’The result [of teaching] is that nobody can use anything
from the material even in the simplest examples ...’
R. Feynman

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with



Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with





estimate of difficulty

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with






estimate of difficulty
lists of predecessors and successors

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with







estimate of difficulty
lists of predecessors and successors
theoretical background

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with








estimate of difficulty
lists of predecessors and successors
theoretical background
suggested plan of solution (if needed)

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with









estimate of difficulty
lists of predecessors and successors
theoretical background
suggested plan of solution (if needed)
solution

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with









estimate of difficulty
lists of predecessors and successors
theoretical background
suggested plan of solution (if needed)
solution

What is not Discovering Mathematics

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with









estimate of difficulty
lists of predecessors and successors
theoretical background
suggested plan of solution (if needed)
solution

What is not Discovering Mathematics


a textbook of a specific mathematical topic

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

What is Discovering Mathematics


Collection of modules



Each module is a network of interrelated problems
A problem is equipped with









estimate of difficulty
lists of predecessors and successors
theoretical background
suggested plan of solution (if needed)
solution

What is not Discovering Mathematics


a textbook of a specific mathematical topic



an exercise book

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Present state

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Present state



Two modules finished



Finite Sums
Infinite Sequences

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Present state



Two modules finished





Finite Sums
Infinite Sequences

Authors of the two modules:
Jiřı́ Gregor et al.
from Department of Mathematics,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Czech Technical University, Prague

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

For whom it is

Discovering Mathematics is for

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

For whom it is

Discovering Mathematics is for


teachers of mathematics for non-mathematical specialists

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

For whom it is

Discovering Mathematics is for


teachers of mathematics for non-mathematical specialists



interested students willing to understand

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

For whom it is

Discovering Mathematics is for


teachers of mathematics for non-mathematical specialists



interested students willing to understand
all those who does not have deep maths knowledge and



Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

For whom it is

Discovering Mathematics is for


teachers of mathematics for non-mathematical specialists



interested students willing to understand
all those who does not have deep maths knowledge and





want to use mathematics in a creative way

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

For whom it is

Discovering Mathematics is for


teachers of mathematics for non-mathematical specialists



interested students willing to understand
all those who does not have deep maths knowledge and






want to use mathematics in a creative way
need to know how to solve problems

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

For whom it is

Discovering Mathematics is for


teachers of mathematics for non-mathematical specialists



interested students willing to understand
all those who does not have deep maths knowledge and







want to use mathematics in a creative way
need to know how to solve problems
want to deepen their understanding of maths

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Requirements

A user should have basic knowledge of

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Requirements

A user should have basic knowledge of


Calculus

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Requirements

A user should have basic knowledge of


Calculus



Elementary and analytic geometry

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Requirements

A user should have basic knowledge of


Calculus



Elementary and analytic geometry



Linear algebra

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Requirements

A user should have basic knowledge of


Calculus



Elementary and analytic geometry



Linear algebra



Theory of equations (differential and difference)

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Requirements

A user should have basic knowledge of


Calculus



Elementary and analytic geometry



Linear algebra



Theory of equations (differential and difference)



Discrete mathematics

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Role of precedesors and successors

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Role of precedesors and successors



Preceding problems

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Role of precedesors and successors



Preceding problems


Can’t solve a problem?

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Role of precedesors and successors



Preceding problems



Can’t solve a problem?
Try it’s predecessors.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Role of precedesors and successors



Preceding problems





Can’t solve a problem?
Try it’s predecessors.

Succeeding problems

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Role of precedesors and successors



Preceding problems





Can’t solve a problem?
Try it’s predecessors.

Succeeding problems


Have you solved a problem?

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Role of precedesors and successors



Preceding problems





Can’t solve a problem?
Try it’s predecessors.

Succeeding problems



Have you solved a problem?
Try more difficult ones.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples


Suggestions

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples



Suggestions
Problems

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples





Suggestions
Problems

Part II - Supportive items

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples





Suggestions
Problems

Part II - Supportive items


Basic definitions

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples





Suggestions
Problems

Part II - Supportive items



Basic definitions
Some useful theorems

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples





Suggestions
Problems

Part II - Supportive items




Basic definitions
Some useful theorems
Plans of solutions

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples





Suggestions
Problems

Part II - Supportive items





Basic definitions
Some useful theorems
Plans of solutions
Further references

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples





Suggestions
Problems

Part II - Supportive items






Basic definitions
Some useful theorems
Plans of solutions
Further references
Hints how to use Mathematica

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Technically each module consists of
◮ Part I - Examples





Suggestions
Problems

Part II - Supportive items







Basic definitions
Some useful theorems
Plans of solutions
Further references
Hints how to use Mathematica
Answers to problems

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Examples from module Finite Sums

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Examples from module Finite Sums


How many elements belong to the set
T [n] = {(i, k); i ≥ 0, k ≥ 0, i + k < n}
provided that i, k and the fixed number n are integers.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Examples from module Finite Sums


How many elements belong to the set
T [n] = {(i, k); i ≥ 0, k ≥ 0, i + k < n}
provided that i, k and the fixed number n are integers.



Find the number of integer points lying on a segment
(including end points) with the given integer end points in a
plane. How would you characterize a segment containing no
integer point except its end points?

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Examples from module Finite Sums


How many elements belong to the set
T [n] = {(i, k); i ≥ 0, k ≥ 0, i + k < n}
provided that i, k and the fixed number n are integers.



Find the number of integer points lying on a segment
(including end points) with the given integer end points in a
plane. How would you characterize a segment containing no
integer point except its end points?



Optimists say that a savings account with an interest rate of
p % p.a. will double the initial investment in 70
p years.
70
Pesimists say that the prices will double r years when an r %
inflation rate can be predicted. Can you give some reasons for
either of the two opinions?
Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Example of the structure of successors and predecessors

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Example of the structure of successors and predecessors
1. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Example of the structure of successors and predecessors
1. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).
2. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangular triangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Example of the structure of successors and predecessors
1. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).
2. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangular triangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).
3. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the trapezium with vertices
(x1 , 0), (x1 , y1 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , 0).

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Example of the structure of successors and predecessors
1. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangle with vertices
↓3
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).
2. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangular triangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).
↓3
3. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the trapezium with vertices
(x1 , 0), (x1 , y1 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , 0).
↑ 1, ↑ 2

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

What it is
For whom it is
Structure of a module
Examples

Example of the structure of successors and predecessors
1. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).
↓3
2. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the rectangular triangle with vertices
(x1 , y1 ), (x1 , y2 ), (x2 , y1 ).
↓3
3. Let xi , yi , i = 1, 2 be integers. Find the number of integer
points located inside the trapezium with vertices
(x1 , 0), (x1 , y1 ), (x2 , y2 ), (x2 , 0).
↑ 1, ↑ 2
The structure is represented by hyperlinks.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Summary

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Summary



A problem is not used to illustrate a theory.

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Summary



A problem is not used to illustrate a theory.



Instead, several theories are used to solve a problem

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Summary



A problem is not used to illustrate a theory.



Instead, several theories are used to solve a problem



Without Discovering Maths
no real maths education!

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics

Motivation
Discovering Mathematics
Summary

Summary



A problem is not used to illustrate a theory.



Instead, several theories are used to solve a problem



Without Discovering Maths
no real maths education!



:-)

Marie Demlová

Discovering Mathematics