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Mathematical Reasoning

This document discusses mathematical reasoning and different types of reasoning. It defines mathematical reasoning as making and testing predictions, searching for patterns, and justifying solutions. It explains that teaching reasoning allows students to explain their thinking and explore different problem-solving strategies. The document then contrasts deductive reasoning, which uses general premises to reach specific conclusions, and inductive reasoning, which uses specific observations to make general claims. It provides examples and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each type of reasoning. Finally, it raises pedagogical questions about how reasoning can be taught and its role in mathematics education.

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Nakanjala Petrus
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94 views12 pages

Mathematical Reasoning

This document discusses mathematical reasoning and different types of reasoning. It defines mathematical reasoning as making and testing predictions, searching for patterns, and justifying solutions. It explains that teaching reasoning allows students to explain their thinking and explore different problem-solving strategies. The document then contrasts deductive reasoning, which uses general premises to reach specific conclusions, and inductive reasoning, which uses specific observations to make general claims. It provides examples and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each type of reasoning. Finally, it raises pedagogical questions about how reasoning can be taught and its role in mathematics education.

Uploaded by

Nakanjala Petrus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mathematical Reasoning

It has to do with:
 Making and testing predictions, conjectures and
hypothesis
 Searching for patterns and relationship
 Making and investigating general statements
 Explaining and justifying solutions, results,
conjectures, conclusions, generalizations
 Disproving statements by finding
counterexamples
Mathematical Reasoning (contd)
Why teach reasoning:
Allows learners to explain their mathematical
thinking
Allows learners to explain why they think their
answers are correct( metacognition)
Allows learners to explain that certain things
in Mathematics are possible
To explore other possible strategies to obtain
solutions to Mathematical problems
Types of Mathematical Reasoning
• To reason is to draw inferences appropriate to
the situation
• Inferences are classified as either deductive or
inductive
Deductive Reasoning
 From “general premises” to “specific premises.”
 Sometimes called “top-down.”
 Draw out conclusions which are implicit.
 Deductive reasoning is reasoning that involves a
hierarchy of statements or truths.
 Starting with a limited number of simple
statements or assumptions, more complex
statements can be built up .
 Use Axioms to prove true statements/theorems.
 Example: Prove that 3 is a prime number?
Advantages of Deductive reasoning
• Its advantage is a high level of certainty, or
reliability. From given true premises, a
deductively valid argument guarantees the truth
of the conclusion.
• It's also been figuratively said that the conclusion
of a deductive argument is contained within its
premises.
• The very reason a deductive conclusion is
guaranteed is precisely because it doesn't add
any new information not already contained in the
premises.
Disadvantage: Deductive reasoning
• So the only weakness of a deductive argument
is the truth value (verity) of its premises. Your
conclusions are only as good as your premises.
Or, to put it another way, your presuppositions
will always determine your conclusions.
• Deductive reasoning does not acquire new
information. Deductive reasoning is essentially
tautological (circular) and non-informative. Its
fundamental form is self-identity (A=A).
Inductive Reasoning
• From “specific premises” to “general
premises.”
• Sometimes called “bottom-up.”
• Usually called “scientific method.”
• Starts with many observations with finding
few/limited powerful statements
(laws/theories).
• Example: Find the next term: 2, 5, 8…?
Explain?
Advantages: Inductive Reasoning
• The strength of the inductive argument is increased as
it approaches completeness.
• If the evidence I accept represents all possibilities
within the whole, my inductive conclusion will be
correct.
• The more I can demonstrate that the evidence is truly
representative, the more compelling will my conclusion
be. "10,000 dogs of every age and variety chosen at
random from every country on the earth were
examined under controlled conditions, and all of them
had fleas. Therefore, it seems likely that all dogs have
fleas."
Disadvantage: Inductive Reasoning
• The main disadvantages of inductive reasoning are:
• (a) that it cannot guarantee its conclusions,
• (b) that it assumes the uniformity of nature throughout
the universe, and
• (c) it relies on observation for information collection.
• Example: It doesn't matter how many black crows you
see, if you haven't observed all crows, there is a chance
that one you haven't seen is freakishly white. This is
the flip side of the main advantage of inductive
reasoning. It's quick, but fallible.
Pedagogical Notes on Reasoning
• Is Mathematical reasoning
Mathematical?
• Is Mathematical reasoning useful?
• Is it an appropriate goal of school
Mathematics?
• Can teachers teach Mathematical
reasoning?
Pedagogical Notes on Reasoning
• Can Mathematical reasoning be taught?
• Do reasoning skills lead to understanding?
• Can drill help to develop Mathematical
reasoning?
• Is proof essential to Mathematics?
• Does anxiety prevent Mathematical
reasoning?

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