The article explores the conceptual complexity and apparent contradictions in the language of mathematics and suggests ways to handle these problems. Mathematics, as described the author, is a formal, artificially constructed language. One problem arises from the changes of gradient and rates of change of gradient, continuous functions. Conceptual conflicts also arise when least upperbounds and greatest lower-bounds in discussing sequences and series, convergence and limits are considered.
History
Journal
Australian mathematics teacher
Volume
63
Pagination
8 - 15
Location
Kenmore Hills, Qld.
Open access
Yes
ISSN
0045-0685
eISSN
1839-4779
Language
eng
Notes
Reproduced with the kind permission of the copyright owner.
Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice
2007, Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers