AESTHETICS IN EARLY GEOMETRY

Hadar Spiegel, David Ginat*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Aesthetic mathematical solutions involve clarity, simplicity, conciseness, an element of surprise, and more. Although the elaboration of aesthetics may develop mathematical thinking, the amount of studies of aesthetics in ordinary teaching is limited. Perhaps this is due to a conception that aesthetics is only for experts and the gifted. This paper presents a different view. The paper displays 7th graders’ solutions of geometrical area calculations and students’ comments on their solutions. The solutions involve auxiliary constructions and structure decompositions. Both cumbersome and aesthetic solutions are displayed. Some of the cumbersome solutions were erroneous. Aesthetic solutions were simple, very concise, and somewhat surprising. Students who offered different solutions expressed appreciation of the appealing characteristics of aesthetics.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 44th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 2021
EditorsMaitree Inprasitha, Narumon Changsri, Nisakorn Boonsena
PublisherPsychology of Mathematics Education (PME)
Pages97-104
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9786169383031
StatePublished - 2021
Event44th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, PME 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 19 Jul 202122 Jul 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education
Volume4
ISSN (Print)0771-100X
ISSN (Electronic)2790-3648

Conference

Conference44th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, PME 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period19/07/2122/07/21

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