An investigation of prospective secondary mathematics teachers' conceptions of proof and refutations

TL;DRAbstract

This research study was conducted to investigate prospective secondary mathematics teachers' conceptions of proof and refutations as they were near completion of their preparation program.To research the primary question of the study, the researcher addressed two components of participants' conceptions of proof-1) understanding of the logical underpinnings of proof, and 2) ability to complete mathematical proofs.The researcher developed a questionnaire composed of two parts in order to assess the two components of proof.Both components focused on direct proof indirect proof and refutations.The sample for the study were 23 prospective secondary mathematics teachers that had completed an introduction to proof course, geometry course, and at least two calculus courses.Results show that only 30% of the prospective teachers correctly answered 9 or more items, of 12 items, for the logical underpinnings of proof.The results show that participants have a weak understanding of the truth of a co

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