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• On an analogy between spreadsheets and dynamic geometry environments

  281-288

  Reinhard Oldenburg

  Views:

  31

  There is a strong analogy between the fundamental way of operation of spreadsheet programs (SP) and dynamics geometry environments (DGE). We explain this analogy, demonstrate it in examples and consider didactical consequences.

• Examples of analogies and generalizations in synthetic geometry

  19-39

  Ioana E. Agut

  Calin M. Agut

  Views:

  30

  Teaching tools and different methods of generalizations and analogies are often used at different levels of education. Starting with primary grades, the students can be guided through simple aspects of collateral development of their studies. In middle school, high school and especially in entry-level courses in higher education, the extension of logical tools are possible and indicated.
  In this article, the authors present an example of generalization and then of building the analogy in 3-D space for a given synthetic geometric problem in 2-D.
  The idea can be followed, extended and developed further by teachers and students as well.

• Programming Theorems and Their Applications

  213-241

  István Fekete

  Tibor Gregorics

  Kinga Kovácsné Pusztai

  Anna Veszprémi

  Views:

  117

  One of the effective methodological approaches in programming that supports the design and development of reliable software is analogy-based programming. Within this framework, the method of problem reduction plays a key role. Reducing a given problem to another one whose solving algorithm is already known can be made more efficient by the application of programming theorems. These represent proven, abstract solutions – in a general form – to some of the most common problems in programming. In this article, we present six fundamental programming theorems as well as pose five sample problems. In solving these problems, all six programming theorems will be applied. In the process of reduction, we will employ a concise specification language. Programming theorems and solutions to the problems will be given using the structogram form. However, we will use pseudocodes as descriptions of algorithms resembling their actual implementation in Python. A functional style solution to one of the problems will also be presented, which is to illustrate that for the implementation in Python, it is sufficient to give the specification of the problem for the design of the solution. The content of the article essentially corresponds to that of the introductory lectures of a course we offered to students enrolled in the Applied Mathematics specialization.

  Subject Classification: D40

• Forming the concept of congruence I.

  181-192

  Éva Szeredi

  Views:

  11

  Teaching isometries of the plane plays a major role in the formation of the congruence-concept in the Hungarian curricula.
  In the present paper I investigate the way the isometries of the plane are traditionally introduced in most of the textbooks, especially the influence of the representations on the congruence concept, created in the teaching process.
  I am going to publish a second part on this topic about a non-traditional approach (Forming the concept of congruence II). The main idea is to introduce the isometries of the two dimensional plane with the help of concrete, enactive experiences in the three dimensional space, using transparent paper as a legitimate enactive tool for building the concept of geometric motion. I will show that this is both in strict analogy with the axioms of 3-dimensional motion and at the same time close to the children's intuitive concept of congruence.

• Decomposition of triangles into isosceles triangles I: let the students ask bravely

  163-184

  József Kosztolányi

  Zoltán Kovács

  Erzsébet Nagy

  Views:

  27

  We report about working up an open geometric problem as a mathematical research with pupils of a mathematics camp. This paper shows the didactic aims and the methods we worked with, the didactic results. The second part of this paper gives a general solution of the problem, using pure mathematics and a computer programme.

• Number theory vs. Hungarian highschool textbooks: √2 is irrational

  139-152

  Petra Csányi

  Kata Fábián

  Csaba Szabó

  Zsanett Szabó

  Éva Vásárhelyi

  Views:

  27

  According to the Hungarian National Curriculum the proof of the irrationality of √2 is considered in grade 10. We analyze the standard proofs from the textbooks and give some mathematical arguments that those reasonings are neither appropriate nor sufficient. We suggest that the proof should involve the fundamental theorem of arithmetic.

• Some Pythagorean type equations concerning arithmetic functions

  157-179

  Ildikó Kézér

  Views:

  59

  We investigate some equations involving the number of divisors d(n); the sum of divisors σ(n); Euler's totient function ϕ(n); the number of distinct prime factors ω(n); and the number of all prime factors (counted with multiplicity) Ω(n). The first part deals with equation f(xy) + f(xz) = f(yz). In the second part, as an analogy to x² + y² = z², we study equation f(x²) + f(y²) = f(z²) and its generalization to higher degrees and more terms. We use just elementary methods and basic facts about the above functions and indicate why and how to discuss this topic in group study sessions or special maths classes of secondary schools in the framework of inquiry based learning.

  Subject Classification: 97F60, 11A25

• Probabilistic thinking, characteristic features

  13-36

  Judit Szitányi

  Views:

  36

  This paper is the first step in a series of a general research project on possible development in probability approach. Our goal is to check with quantitative methods how correct our presumptions formulated during our teaching experience were. In order to get an answer to this question, we conducted a survey among third-year students at our college about their general and scientific concepts as well as about the way they typically think.