Wednesday, May 19, 2010

What is mathematical thinking?

The term mathematical thinking may be defined in a number of ways. However the most popular definition is the one given by Mason (1982) that is, mathematical thinking can be defined as a dynamic process which, by enabling us to increase the complexity of ideas we can handle and expands our understanding through certain processes such as specializing, generalizing, conjecturing and convincing.

Mathematical thinking can be improved by practice with reflection,provoked by contradiction,a challenge, a surprise, a gap in understanding and supported by an atmosphere of questioning, challenging and reflecting with an ample space and time.

Mathematical thinking may lead us to a deeper understanding of ourself and the world around us, provide a more coherent view of what we know, what we want to know and gives a critical assessment of what we hear and see.

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