Scale, perspective, and natural mathematical questions
Published: 2019
Publication Name: For the Learning of Mathematics
Publication URL: https://flm-journal.org/Articles/4F8C77623C5C4E7ACB2A1E8DC18DFA.pdf
Abstract:
We describe how a group of secondary mathematics teachers posed and solved a real-world problem. The problem was posed by teachers on a sandbar off the coast of an island in the Bahamas, where panoramic views of water meeting sky spurred the teachers to wonder how far away they could see. We analyze how the teachers translated the natural question, How far can we see?, into a mathematical problem they could solve. In particular, we focus on how the teachers used their bodies and different perspectives to negotiate and, eventually, mathematically control, different scales of space.
Dimmel, J., & Milewski, A. (2019). Scale, perspective, and natural mathematical questions. For the Learning of Mathematics, 39(3), 34–40. https://flm-journal.org/Articles/4F8C77623C5C4E7ACB2A1E8DC18DFA.pdf