• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.137-154
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• 2012

Approximation' is one of central conceptions in calculus. A basic conception for explaining 'approximation' is 'tangent', and 'tangent' is a 'line' with special condition. In this study, we will study pedagogically these mathematical knowledge on the ground of a viewpoint on the teaching of secondary geometry, and in connection with these we will suggest the teaching program and the chief end for the probable teaching. For this, we will examine point, line, circle, straight line, tangent line, approximation, and drive meaningfully mathematical knowledge for algebraic operation through the process translating from the above into analytic geometry. And we will construct the stream line of mathematical knowledge for approximation from a view of modern mathematics. This study help mathematics teachers to promote the pedagogical content knowledge, and to provide the basis for development of teaching model guiding the mathematical knowledge. Moreover, this study help students to recognize that mathematics is a systematic discipline and school mathematics are activities constructed under a fixed purpose.