Department of Mathematics Education

MATHEMATICS PROBLEM SOLVING

USING GEOMETER'S SKETCHPAD and GRAPHING TECHNOLOGY

by

James W. Wilson

 

Abstract

Mathematics problem solving is the core of any ideas of functionality with mathematics. Appropriate uses of technology tools can enhance mathematics learning and teaching, support conceptual development of mathematics, enable mathematics investigations by students and teachers, and influence what mathematics is taught and learned. This talk focuses on a particular technology tool, Geometer's Sketchpad, for problem solving, inquiry, and exploration in mathematics. Demonstrations with Geometer's Sketchpad will predominate, but we may slip in some related explorations with Graphing Calculator 3.0 and Excel. I will make extensive use of links to my web site at Http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu.

Introduction

 

Good mathematics teaching, meaningful reform, and genuine improvement of mathematics inststruction will result only if it is manifested within mathematics classrooms.

The role of the teacher is essential.

The growing nearly universal availability of technology tools provides a grand opportunity to assist teachers in teaching well and in improving the mathematics experiences of students.

 

Other relevant papers.

Mathematics Education Web Course Development on a Shoestring

Technology in Mathematics Teaching and Learning

Project InterMath

 

What I will talk about

Material from courses I teach for inservice mathematics teachers

Technology and secondary school mathematics

Problem solving in mathematics

Middle School Mathematics and Technology: Project InterMath

 

Potential benefits of appropriate technology use

Promote better mathematics learning.

Build conceptual understanding

Doing mathematics

investigations

problem solving

applications

exploration

Communication within/about mathematics

New look at some "old" stuff

Doing mathematics not likely to be encountered without technology

Doing mathematics that incorporates technology (e.g. iterations)

Self-Confidence about one's mathematics

Generative tools for constructing one's further mathematics study.

Some Links

Centers of a triangle

Centroid, Orthocenter, Circumcenter, Incenter, Euler line
Medial triangle, Orthic Triangle, Triangle from Midpoints of Orthocenter/vertex segments
Nine Point Circle

Locus Explorations

Travels in 1992 with Bill (Orthocenter), George (Centroid), and Ross (Circumcenter)

Orthotravels. What is the locus of the orthocenter when one side of a triangle is fixed and the
third vertex is moved along some path?

Extended Concurrencies of the Triangle

Fermat points, Napoleon points, and others.
Kiepert hyperbola.

Pedal Points and Pedal Triangles

Pedal.gsp. Open the file, hide the perpendiculars and move point P anywhere in the plane.
Trace the lines defining PQR as P is moved in a circle.
Trace the lines defining PQR as P is moved around the Circumcircle of ABC. (
Pedal1.gsp)
Trace the center points of PQ, QP, and QR as P is moved in a circlular path.

Squares. What is the ratio of areas of the two squares?

Island treasure.

Conics

Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola: Directrix is a line or circle.

Second order conics: Directrix is a conic.

GSP Lessons

Inscribe a parabola in a triangle. GSP Sketch.

Problems. The Web Site for my Mathematical Problem Solving Course.

Folium of DeCartes -- and what if?

Folium

Translation to (x - a, y - b)

Transform to (sin x, siny)

Solve: ABC = 4; 3A + 2B - C = 3

Investigate


Graph PacMan

About Problem Solving

Research into Practice An article on a Synthesis of Reaseach on Mathematics Problem Solving prepared by me, Nelda Hadaway (a classroom teacher) and Maria Fernandez (an experienced teacher and doctoral student).