I want to offer an example of a mathematical exploration which is likely to enrich learners’ appreciation of an apparently unrelated aspect of graphs of functions. Imagine the graph of . Is there a point on the curve at which the tangent passes through the origin? One thing that emerged when I used this with […]
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So much of the secondary and A-level mathematics curricula can be approached as if procedures are the way into mathematics, and all that is required to do well is to learn the procedures and spot where and when to apply them. By contrast, people who use mathematics work the opposite way round – curiosity about […]
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One of the biggest ‘why oh why’ questions in secondary school mathematics is the purpose of studying quadratic equations because ‘I am never going to need them in everyday life’. This irritating question is based on a sound premise. The applications generally offered to students to persuade them of the usefulness of quadratics tend to […]
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