• School Mathematics
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.539-554
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• 2002

Mathematics is constructed by many signs, and learning mathematics involves the understanding and uses of them. This study reflects mathematical signs and their meanings, and considers how they can be introduced in learning. For these, we first investigated epistemological positions as Piaget, Vygotsky, anthropology, and interactionism. And we investigated semiotic models that Saussure and Peirce built each. Among these we adopted Peirce' triadic model that is consisted of interpretant, object (referent), and represen tamen(sign). In mathematic learning process, representations are transformed by translations and meanings are growed to the representation of another sign. And the meaning of sign grows by learner's interpretation. In terms of theoretical grounds, we settled that the understanding of mathematical signs involved the understanding of their representations and their meanings. On the foundation of above contents, we searched how we introduced signs to students and there were methods that approached to students representationally or inquiringly.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.595-605
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• 2014

Infinite decimals have an infinite number of digits, chosen arbitrary and independently, to the right side of the decimal point. Since infinite decimals are ambiguous numbers impossible to write them down completely, the infinite decimal representation accompanies unavoidable opaqueness. This article focused the transparent aspect of infinite decimal representation with respect to the completeness axiom of real numbers. Long before the formalization of real number concept in $19^{th}$ century, many mathematicians were able to deal with real numbers relying on this transparency of infinite decimal representations. This analysis will contribute to overcome the double discontinuity caused by the different conceptualizations of real numbers in school and academic mathematics.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-88
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• 2020

This study analyzed the characteristics of prospective teachers' Horizon Content Knowledge(HCK) related to understandings of an inverse function symbol. This study aimed to deduce implications of developing HCK in terms of the means which would enhance mathematics teachers' professional development. In order to achieve the aim, this study identified features of HCK by examining the previous literature on HCK, which has conformed Ball & Bass(2009) and exploring the research in AMT, including Zazkis & Leikin(2010) which has emphasized cultivating AMT through university mathematics education. In addition, a questionnaire was developed regarding the features of HCK and taken by 57 prospective teachers. By analyzing the data obtained from the written responses the participants presented, this study delineated the specific characteristics of the teachers' HCK with regard to an inverse function symbol. Additionally, several issues in the teacher education for improving HCK were discussed, and the results of this research could inspire designing and implementing a teacher education program relevant to HCK.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.937-957
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to discover the features of symbol sense. This study tries to sum up the meaning and elements of symbol sense and the measures to improve them through documents. Also based on this, it analyzes the learning conditions about symbol sense for 6th grade mathematically able students and suggests the method that activates symbol sense in the math of elementary schools. Considering various studies on symbol sense, symbol sense means the exact knowledge and essential understanding in a comprehensive way. Symbol sense is an intuition about symbols that grasps the meaning of symbols, understands the situation of question, and realizes the usefulness of symbols in resolving a process. Considering all other scholars' opinions, this study sums up 5 elements of the symbol sense. (The recognition of needs to introduce symbol, ability to read the meaning of symbols, choice of suitable symbols according to the context, pattern guess through visualization, recognize the role of symbols in other context) This study draws the following conclusions after applying the symbol questionnaires targeting 6th grade mathematically able students : First, although they are math talents, there are some differences in terms of the symbol sense level. Second, 5 elements of the symbol sense are not completely separated. They are rather closely related in terms of mainly the symbol understanding, thereby several elements are combined.

• School Mathematics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.313-326
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• 2007

Recently in algebra curriculum, to recognizes and explains general nile expressing patterns is presented as the one alternative and is emphasized. In the seventh School Mathematic Curriculum regarding 'regularity and function' area, in elementary school curriculum, is guiding pattern activity of various form. But difficulty and problem of students are pointing in study for learning through pattern activity. In this article, emphasizes generalization process through research activity of pictorial/geometric pattern that is introduced much on elementary school mathematic curriculum and investigates various approach and strategy of student's thinking, state of symbolization in generalization process of pictorial/geometric pattern. And discusses generalization of pictorial/geometric pattern, difficulty of symbolization and suggested several proposals for research activity of pictorial/geometric pattern.

• School Mathematics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.303-315
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• 2014

Even though the variety of expressions are dealt with in Korean elementary mathematics, the systematization of the subject matter of expressions is still insufficient. This is basically due to the failure of revealing clearly the identity of expressions dealt with in elementary mathematics. In this paper, as a groundwork to improve this situation, after the classification of signs as elements constituting expressions, in a position to consider elementary mathematics using transitional signs such as ${\square}$, ${\triangle}$, etc and words or phrases in expressions, expressions were defined and classified based on that classification of signs. It can be presented as the conclusion that the following four judgements which helps to promote the systematization of the subject matter of expressions are possible through this definition and classifications. First, by clarifying the identity of the expressions, any mathematical clauses or sentences can be determined whether those are expressions or not. Second, Forms of expressions can be identified. Third, the subject matter of expressions can be identified systematically. Fourth, the hierarchy of the subject matter of expressions can be identified.

• New Physics: Sae Mulli
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• v.68 no.12
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• pp.1364-1373
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• 2018

A recognizable form having meaning is called a sign in semiotics. The sign is transformed into a physical counter form in this work. Its internal structure is restricted on the linguistic concept structure. We borrow the concept of a mathematical function from the utility function of a rational personal in the economy. Universalizing the utility function by introducing the consistency of independency on the manner of construction, we construct the probability. We introduce a random variable for the probability and join it to a position variable. Thus, we propose a physical sign and its serial changes in the forms of stochastic equations. The equations estimate three patterns (jumping, drifting, diffusing) of possible solutions, and we find them in the one-day stock-price flow. The periods of jumping, drifting and diffusing were about 2, 3.5, and 6 minutes for the Kia stock on 11/05/2014. Also, the semiotic sign (icon, index, symbol) can be expected from the equations.

• School Mathematics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.527-539
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• 2016

A word 'is' in "A parallelogram is trapezoid." is ambiguous and very rich when it comes to its meaning. In this paper, 'is' as in everyday language will be identified as semantic primes that can be interpreted in different ways depending on context and situation, and meanings of 'is' in mathematics will be discussed separately. Focusing on 'identity', 'is' will be reinterpreted in the view of equivalence relation and van Hieles' work. 'Is', as a mathematical sign, is thought to have a significant importance in producing mathematical ideas meaningfully.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.173-192
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• 2013

It may be replacement proofs with understanding and explaining geometrical properties that was a remarkable change in school geometry of 2009 revised national curriculum for mathematics. That comes from the difficulties which students have experienced in learning proofs. This study focuses on one of those difficulties which are caused by the forms of proofs: using letters for designating some sides or angles in writing proofs and understanding some long sentences of proofs. To overcome it, this study aims to investigate the applicability of Byrne's method which uses coloured diagrams instead of letters. For this purpose, the proofs of three geometrical properties were taught to middle school students by Byrne's visual method using the original source, dynamic representations, and the teacher's manual drawing, respectively. Consequently, the applicability of Byrne's method was discussed based on its strengths and its weaknesses by analysing the results of students' worksheets and interviews and their teacher's interview. This analysis shows that Byrne's method may be helpful for students' understanding of given geometrical proofs rather than writing proofs.