• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.399-420
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• 2008

In this paper we solve various triangle construction problems related with radius of escribed circle using algebraic method. We describe essentials and meaning of algebraic method solving construction problems. And we search relation between triangle construction problems, draw out 3 base problems, and make hierarchy of solved triangle construction problems. These construction problems will be used for creative mathematical investigation in gifted education.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.697-706
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• 2003

In this paper we consider the equality sign as a mathematical concept and investigate its meaning, errors made by students, and subject matter knowledge of mathematics teacher in view of The Model of Mathematic al Concept Analysis, arithmetic-algebraic thinking, and some examples. The equality sign = is a symbol most frequently used in school mathematics. But its meanings vary accor ding to situations where it is used, say, objects placed on both sides, and involve not only ordinary meanings but also mathematical ideas. The Model of Mathematical Concept Analysis in school mathematics consists of Ordinary meaning, Mathematical idea, Representation, and their relationships. To understand a mathematical concept means to understand its ordinary meanings, mathematical ideas immanent in it, its various representations, and their relationships. Like other concepts in school mathematics, the equality sign should be also understood and analysed in vie w of a mathematical concept.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.453-475
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• 2007

School algebra starts with introducing algebraic expressions which have been one of the cognitive obstacles to the students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. In the recent studies on the teaching school algebra, algebraic thinking is getting much more attention together with algebraic expressions. In this paper, we examined the processes of the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and ways for teaching early algebra through algebraic thinking factors. Issues about algebraic thinking have continued since 1980's. But the theoretic foundations for algebraic thinking have not been founded in the previous studies. In this paper, we analyzed the algebraic thinking in school algebra from historico-genetic, epistemological, and symbolic-linguistic points of view, and identified algebraic thinking factors, i.e. the principle of permanence of formal laws, the concept of variable, quantitative reasoning, algebraic interpretation - constructing algebraic expressions, trans formational reasoning - changing algebraic expressions, operational senses - operating algebraic expressions, substitution, etc. We also identified these algebraic thinking factors through analyzing mathematics textbooks of elementary and middle school, and showed the middle school students' low achievement relating to these factors through the algebraic thinking ability test. Based upon these analyses, we argued that the readiness for algebra learning should be made through the processes including algebraic thinking factors in the elementary school and that the transfer from arithmetic to algebra should be accomplished naturally through the pre-algebra course. And we searched for alternative ways to improve algebra curriculums, emphasizing algebraic thinking factors. In summary, we identified the problems of school algebra relating to the transfer from arithmetic to algebra with the problem of teaching algebraic thinking and analyzed the algebraic thinking factors of school algebra, and searched for alternative ways for improving the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and the teaching of early algebra.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.781-788
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• 2011

A sphere-packing problem is to find an arrangement of the spheres to fill as large area of the given space as possible, and covering problems are optimization problems which are dual problems to the packing problems. We generalize the concepts of the weight and the Hamming distance for a binary code to those of Boolean algebra. In this paper, we define a weight and a distance on a Boolean algebra and research some properties of the weight and the distance. Also, we prove the notions of the sphere-packing bound and the Gilbert-Varshamov bound on Boolean algebra.

• School Mathematics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.115-133
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• 2003

Investigation of the students' mathematical misconceptions is very important for improvement in the school mathematics teach]ng and basis of curriculum. In this study, we categorize second-grade middle school students' misconceptions on the learning of linear function and make a comparative study of the error-remedial effect of students' collaborative learning vs explanatory leaching. We also investigate how to change and advance students' self-diagnosis and treatment of the milton ceptions through the collaborative learning about linear function. The result of the study shows that there are three main kinds of students' misconceptions in algebraic setting like this: (1) linear function misconception in relation with number concept, (2) misconception of the variables, (3) tenacity of specific perspective. Types of misconception in graphical setting are classified into misconception of graph Interpretation and prediction and that of variables as the objects of function. Two different remedies have a distinctive effect on treatment of the students' misconception under the each category. We also find that a misconception can develop into a correct conception as a result of interaction with other students.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.447-453
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• 2007

In this letter, we derive the Gallager random coding bound for discrete memoryless channels purely by simple manipulations of algebraic inequalities rather than invoking conceptually difficult random coding arguments. Gallager random coding bound is a very useful tool in information and coding theory due to its applicability to situations in which it is difficult to determine the decision regions and due to the fact that it can be used to derive the channel coding theorem. The readers will find it relatively easy to apply to many practical problems of interest the step-by-step algebraic derivations of the Gallager random coding bound with appropriate modifications.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.69-82
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• 2012

The objective of this paper is to study De Morgan's perspective on teaching and learning complex numbers. De Morgan's didactical approaches reflect the process of development of his thoughts about algebra from universal arithmetic, symbolic algebra to meaning algebra. De Morgan develop his perspective on algebra by justifying and explaining complex numbers. This implies that teaching and learning complex numbers is a catalyst for mathematical development of De Morgan.

• School Mathematics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.119-139
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to analyze students' misconception in the teaming of the conic sections with the cognitive and pedagogical point of view. The conics sections is very important concept in the high school geometry. High school students approach the conic sections only with algebraic perspective or analytic geometry perspective. So they have various misconception in the conic sections. To achieve the purpose of this study, the research on the following questions is conducted: First, what types of misconceptions do the students have in the loaming of conic sections? Second, what types of errors appear in the problem-solving process related to the conic sections? With the preliminary research, the testing worksheet and the student interviews, the cause of error and the misconception of conic sections were analyzed: First, students lacked the experience in the constructing and manipulating of the conic sections. Second, students didn't link the process of constructing and the application of conic sections with the equation of tangent line of the conic sections. The conclusion of this study ls: First, students should have the experience to manipulate and construct the conic sections to understand mathematical formula instead of rote memorization. Second, as the process of mathematising about the conic sections, students should use the dynamic geometry and the process of constructing in learning conic sections. And the process of constructing should be linked with the equation of tangent line of the conic sections. Third, the mathematical misconception is not the conception to be corrected but the basic conception to be developed toward the precise one.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.131-155
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate if top-ranked high school students do integrated understanding about the concept of a differential coefficient. For here, the meaning of integrated understanding about the concept of a differential coefficient is whether students understand tangent and velocity problems, which are occurrence contexts of a differential coefficient, by connecting with the concept of a differential coefficient and organically understand the concept, algebraic and geometrical expression of a differential coefficient and applied situations about a differential coefficient. For this, 38 top-ranked high school students, who are attending S high school, located in Cheongju, were selected as subjects of this analysis. The test was developed with high-school math II textbooks and various other books and revised and supplemented by practising teachers and experts. It is composed of 11 questions. Question 1 and 2-(1) are about the connection between the concept of a differential coefficient and algebraic and geometrical expression, question 2-(2) and 4 are about the connection between occurrence context of the concept and the concept itself, question 3 and 10 are about the connection between the expression with algebra and geometry. Question 5 to 9 are about applied situations. Question 6 is about the connection between the concept and application of a differential coefficient, question 8 is about the connection between application of a differential coefficient and expression with algebra, question 5 and 7 are about the connection between application of a differential coefficient, used besides math, and expression with geometry and question 9 is about the connection between application of a differential coefficient, used within math, and expression with geometry. The research shows the high rate of students, who organizationally understand the concept of a differential coefficient and algebraic and geometrical expression. However, for other connections, the rates of students are nearly half of it or lower than half.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.473-495
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• 2011

Across the secondary school, students deal with the algebraic conditions like as identity, inverse, commutative law, associative law and distributive law. The algebraic structures, group, ring and field, are determined by these algebraic conditions. But the conditioning of these algebraic structures are not mentioned at all, as well as the meaning of the algebraic structures. Thus, students is likely to be considered the algebraic conditions as productions from the number sets. In this study, we systematize didactically the meanings of algebraic conditions and algebraic structures, considering connections between the number systems and the solutions of the equation. Didactically systematizing is to construct the model for student's natural mental activity, that is, to construct the stream of experience through which students are considered mathematical concepts as productions from necessities and high probability. For this purpose, we develop the program for the gifted, which its objective is to teach the meanings of the number system and to grasp the algebraic structure conceptually that is guaranteed to solve equations. And we verify the effectiveness of this developed program using didactical experiment. Moreover, the program can be used in ordinary students by replacement the term 'algebraic structure' with the term such as identity, inverse, commutative law, associative law and distributive law, to teach their meaning.