Mathematics as Problem Solving

Discovering Mathematics: A Problem-Solving Approach to Analysis with Mathematica and Maple provides a constructive approach to mathematical discovery through innovative use of software technology. Interactive Mathematica and Maple notebooks are integral to this books’ utility as a practical tool for learning. Interrelated concepts, definitions and theorems are connected through hyperlinks, guiding the reader to a variety of structured problems and highlighting multiple avenues of mathematical reasoning.

This book presents both theoretical and empirical contributions from a global perspective on problem solving and posing (PS/PP) and their application, in relation to the teaching and learning of mathematics in schools. The chapters are derived from selected presentations in the PS/PP Topical Study Group in ICME14. Although mathematical problem posing is a much younger field of inquiry in mathematics education, this topic has grown rapidly. The mathematics curriculum frameworks in many parts of the world have incorporated problem posing as an instructional focus, building on problem solving as its foundation. The juxtaposition of problem solving and problem posing in mathematics presented in this book addresses the needs of the mathematics education research and practice communities at the present day. In particular, this book aims to address the three key points: to present an overview of research and development regarding students’ mathematical problem solving and posing; to discuss new trends and developments in research and practice on these topics; and to provide insight into the future trends of mathematical problem solving and posing.

The purpose of this book is to isolate and draw attention to the most important problem-solving techniques typically encountered in undergradu­ ate mathematics and to illustrate their use by interesting examples and problems not easily found in other sources. Each section features a single idea, the power and versatility of which is demonstrated in the examples and reinforced in the problems.