مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Proof Without Words in Mathematics Education: A Theoretical Study

Abstract :

This study focused on the role and importance of the concept of mathematical proof and proof without words in mathematics teaching. “ Proof without words” are pictures or diagrams that help the observer see why a particular statemant may be true and also to see how one might begin to go about proving it true. There are discussions on whether “Proof without words” is real or not. There is not common view in the literatüre on expressions which ise used for “Proof without words”. However, proof or not proof, “Proof without words” are valuable tools in mathematics, expecially in teaching. It was also investigated the relationship between visualization and proof without words. For this purpose, explanations and discussions such as what is the definition of the concept of visualization, mathematical proof and proof without words, its aims, and its role in the mathematics curriculum were included in the context of this paper. Also, in this study there are examples of proof without words and we offered advantage and disadvantage of “Proof without words” in theoretical framework.