On the Meaning of Uniqueness

This article analyzes four questions on the meaning of uniqueness that have contrasting answers in common language versus mathematical language. The investigations stem from a scenario in which students interpreted uniqueness according to a definition from standard English, that is, different from t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PRIMUS : problems, resources, and issues in mathematics undergraduate studies resources, and issues in mathematics undergraduate studies, 2013-03, Vol.23 (3), p.224-233
Main Author: Shipman, Barbara A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
College Mathematics
Context Effect
Definitions
Discussion (Teaching Technique)
English
Functions (mathematics)
Language
Language Usage
Logic
Logical Thinking
Mathematics Instruction
Meetings
Sentence Structure
Standard Spoken Usage
Thinking Skills
unique
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Summary:This article analyzes four questions on the meaning of uniqueness that have contrasting answers in common language versus mathematical language. The investigations stem from a scenario in which students interpreted uniqueness according to a definition from standard English, that is, different from the mathematical meaning, in defining an injective function. The analysis of these two viewpoints in different mathematical contexts provides perspectives on the meaning of uniqueness that will generate engaging class discussions in any course where the concept of uniqueness arises.
ISSN:1051-1970
1935-4053
DOI:10.1080/10511970.2012.718730