SLN FRASER UNIVERSITY

Summer Semester 2003

EDUC 411 - 3

?

Dr. Rina Zazkis

Investigations in Secondary Mathematics ?

Office: EDB

8661

Phone:

291-3662

D01.00

?

E-mail: zazkis@sfu.ca

Tuesday

13:00-16:50

PREREQUISITE:

Co-req EDUC 415 or appropriate Math background & permission of Instructor

DESCRIPTION

SCHEDULE

It is a 3-credit course. To fulfill the requirement of 39 instructional hours (3 x13) we will meet in a scheduled

4-hour slot for the first 10 weeks of the semester.

OUTLINE

-The goal of the course is to examine secondary mathematics from an advanced standpoint, to broaden the

understanding of key topics by drawing connections among various topics and representations and by

situating them in a broader context, both mathematical and historical. The means towards this goal is

intensive problem solving experience, followed by reflection.

-The course will involve lecture, seminar and workshop format, without explicit distinction between the

different formats.

-The following is the list of topics to be addressed. The list is not sequential, as the connections among

various topics are of interest in this course:

Numbers and Number systems

-Number systems from different civilization

-Number representations in different bases

-Computation in different bases, fractions in different bases, divisibility rules in different bases --

i ?

lications for base-ten

-Litica1 Number sets (natural, whole, integer, rational, irrational, real)

-Relevance of their historical development to the curriculum

Functions

Examination of various definitions for a function

Representation of functions in different coordinate systems (afine, focus-directrix)

Transformation of functions

Geometry

Axiomatic systems (Euclidean, finite)

Geometry on a sphere, implications for the plane

Taxicab Geometry, implications

Investigations in Euclidean Geometry with Geometers Sketchpad

Conic Sections

Examination of various definitions, proving their equivalence

Probability and Statistics

Examination of popular games and winning chances (Montys Dilemma, Bingo,Slot Machines)

How to lie with Statistics - a critical look

Calculus

(Some) Fascinating theorems and formulas of mathematics

Where do they come from?

Why do they 'work?

What is fascinating about them?

GRADING: The course will be graded pass/ withdrawal. Students must get a passing grade on each

acignment in order to pass the course. Assignments include: Weekly homework, Problem solving portfolio,

I ect and presentation.

REQUIRED READING

No textbook for this course. Materials will be provided by the instructor. Duplicating fee: Approx. $15.