This study analysed first-year preservice teachers' understanding of trigonometric equations at a South African university in the Eastern Cape province. We employed the Action-Process-Object-Schema (APOS) framework to analyse the mental constructions made by preservice teachers in solving trigonometric equations. A qualitative case study design…

In each educational curriculum, trigonometry is an important subject at upper secondary schools and pre university level that apply in many other subjects such as algebra, calculus, geometry and physics. Many of students have serious problem in learning the trigonometric materials because usually mathematics educators transfer the trigonometric…

The purpose of this research is to classify the mathematical modelling problems produced by pre-service mathematics teachers in terms of the number of variables and to determine the mathematical modelling skills and mathematical skills used in solving the problems in each class. The current study is a qualitative research and the data was analyzed…

Teachers are often perplexed realizing students ending up with different understandings of the same lesson after attending the same class. This study investigates the use of Variation Theory as a pedagogical design tool in improving students' problem-solving skills in trigonometry. This action research utilizing the 'Learning Study' approach was…

This paper presents research activity in the solution of geometric tasks by mathematics teachers and by mathematics teacher trainees at a College of Education as part of an advanced courses. This activity tested the level of knowledge and ability to apply it in the solution of problems that can be solved in a number of ways: by using various tools…

When mathematics teachers plan lessons, they interact with curriculum materials in various ways. In this paper, we draw on Brown's (2009) "Design Capacity for Enactment" framework to explore the practice of "adapting" curriculum materials in the case of a Singapore secondary mathematics teacher. Problems from the textbook used…

Including opportunities for students to experience uncertainty in solving mathematical tasks can prompt learners to resolve the uncertainty, leading to mathematical understanding. In this article, we examine how preservice secondary mathematics teachers' thinking about a trigonometric relationship was impacted by a series of tasks that prompted…

A geometrical task is presented with multiple solutions using different methods, in order to show the connection between various branches of mathematics and to highlight the importance of providing the students with an extensive 'mathematical toolbox'. Investigation of the property that appears in the task was carried out using a computerized tool.

Researchers promoting the inclusion of technology for teaching and learning have recently called for the integration of mathematical technologies into the preparation of future teachers. This report analyzes the dynamic geometry sketches produced by preservice secondary mathematics teachers when investigating trigonometric relationships. We…

Mathematics educators agree that linking mathematical ideas by using multiple approaches for solving problems (or proving statements) is essential for the development of mathematical reasoning. In this sense, geometry provides a goldmine of multiple-solution tasks, where a myriad of different methods can be employed: either from the geometry topic…

Using multiple representations of a problem can reveal the relationship between complex concepts by expressing the same mathematical condition differently and can contribute to the meaningful learning of mathematical concepts. The purpose of this study is to assess the performances of mathematics teacher-candidates on trigonometry problems…

This study examined the knowledge levels of prospective mathematics teachers about the concepts of degree and radian, which are among the angle measuring units that constitute the basis of trigonometry, and the relationships between those concepts. The study group consisted of 93 prospective mathematics teachers attending a state university in…

The Mathematics Performance Expectations (MPE) define the content and level of achievement students must reach to be academically prepared for success in entry-level, credit-bearing mathematics courses in college or career training. They were developed through a process that involved faculty from Virginia's two- and four-year colleges and…

Background: Trigonometry is an area of mathematics that students believe to be particularly difficult and abstract compared with the other subjects of mathematics. Trigonometry is often introduced early in year 8 with most textbooks traditionally starting with naming sides of right-angled triangles. Students need to see and understand why their…

An integral, either definite or improper, cannot always be computed by elementary methods, such as reversed usage of differentiation formulae. Graphical properties, in particular symmetries, can be useful to compute the integral, via an auxiliary computation. We present graded examples, then prove a general result. (Contains 4 figures.)