Discovering the Inscribed Angle Theorem

Learning to play tennis is difficult. It takes practice, but it also helps to have a coach--someone who gives tips and pointers but allows the freedom to play the game on one's own. Learning to act like a mathematician is a similar process. Students report that the process of proving the inscri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Mathematics teacher 2012-03, Vol.105 (7), p.514-519
Main Author: Roscoe, Matt B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Circles
Cognition & reasoning
Elementary School Mathematics
Features
Figurative Language
Geometric angles
Geometry
Learning Processes
Logical theorems
Mathematical Concepts
Mathematical Logic
Mathematical problems
Mathematical theorems
Mathematics education
Mathematics Instruction
Mathematics teachers
Preservice Teachers
Racquet Sports
Reasoning
Teaching Methods
Tennis
Theorems
Triangles
Validity
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Learning to play tennis is difficult. It takes practice, but it also helps to have a coach--someone who gives tips and pointers but allows the freedom to play the game on one's own. Learning to act like a mathematician is a similar process. Students report that the process of proving the inscribed angle theorem is challenging and, at times, frustrating. Most are not used to the open-endedness of the proof process, which contrasts with more traditional approaches in mathematics that commonly place more emphasis on algorithms, rules, and procedures. Having prospective teachers find the inscribed angle theorem for themselves can foster mathematical reasoning. (Contains 9 figures.)
ISSN:0025-5769
2330-0582
DOI:10.5951/mathteacher.105.7.0514