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Interpreting Mathematics: Some Educational Considerations

Author
Pitici, Mircea
Abstract
This work contains several contributions supporting the idea that everyone can use mathematics to mold a personal niche in the social milieu by interpreting mathematical notions and results in one's own way. I include an autobiographical piece about my mathematical experience; a literature review of authors who influenced my thinking; a description of a seminar I designed to teach and test my views on interpreting mathematics; some applications to mathematical topics; and a list of references. Interpreting mathematics reflects the personal perspective of each individual on a particular piece of mathematics, on mathematics as a whole, or on everything mathematical in between; it has nothing to do with truth-it can be as plausible as the mathematics it concerns but it can also be fiction, eventually. The ability to interpret mathematics is different from the learning of mathematics per se-and it is a gateway to entrepreneurial uses of mathematics.
Date Issued
2015-08-17Subject
mathematics education; interpreting; counterfactuals
Committee Chair
Henderson,David W.
Committee Member
Sipple,John W; Strogatz,Steven H
Degree Discipline
Education
Degree Name
Ph. D., Education
Degree Level
Doctor of Philosophy
Type
dissertation or thesis