• East Asian mathematical journal
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.581-597
• /
• 2010

In this paper, the author focuses on the teaching-level and learning-level of the completeness axiom and its applications on [0,1] and $\mathbb{R}$, $\mathbb{R}{\times}\mathbb{R}$, $\mathbb{R}{\times}\mathbb{R}{\times}\mathbb{R}$ by (expected) teachers in the school mathematics, which is usually introduced in the class of real analysis of university mathematics. Firstly the author considers the properties of the completeness axiom and its 19 equivalent theorems, next he deals with its importances in the school mathematics and finally he suggests the teaching and learning of the concepts on the completeness axiom and its applications on [0,1] and $\mathbb{R}$, $\mathbb{R}{\times}\mathbb{R}$, $\mathbb{R}{\times}\mathbb{R}{\times}\mathbb{R}$ by (expected) teachers in the school mathematics.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.595-605
• /
• 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 of Educational Research in Mathematics
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.263-279
• /
• 2015

The introduction of real numbers is one of the most difficult steps in the teaching of school mathematics since the mathematical justification of the extension from rational to real numbers requires the completeness property. The author elucidated what questions about real numbers can be unanswered as the "institutional didactic void" in school mathematics defining real numbers as the union of the rational and irrational numbers. The pre-service teachers' explanations on the extension from rational to real numbers and the raison d'$\hat{e}$tre of arbitrary non-recurring decimals showed the superficial and fragmentary understanding of real numbers. Connecting school mathematics to university mathematics via the didactic void, the author discussed how pre-service teachers could break the illusion of transparency about the real number.