Proof by reductio ad absurdum: An experience with university students

Angelina Alvarado Monroy (1) , María Teresa González Astudillo (2)

1 Juárez University of the State of Durango
2 Universidad de Salamanca

One technique that future mathematicians should dominate is proof by reductio ad absurdum. This paper presents part of a research study in which college students performed a task in which they needed to apply the knowledge gained using this technique. Small group discussions and a discussion led by the teacher were the methodology used in the classroom to solve the task. Both types of interactions were analyzed using the RBC-C model (Schwarz, Dreyfus, & Hershkowitz, 2009) to document how the construction process took place. It was found through consolidation of epistemic actions that although the students had to deal with difficulties associated with the proof, they were able to use the newly acquired knowledge.

Mots clés: Proof; interaction; construction; knowledge

Domaines: Education; Histoire et perspectives sur les mathématiques [math.HO]

Angelina Alvarado Monroy, María Teresa González Astudillo. Proof by reductio ad absurdum: An experience with university students. CERME 9 - Ninth Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Education; ERME, Feb 2015, Prague, Czech Republic. pp.72-78. ⟨hal-01280523⟩