MHB SE Maths - Teaching with Proofs: Expert Tips for Secondary Education

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The discussion centers on the challenges of learning and understanding mathematical proofs, particularly in educational settings. Participants reflect on their experiences with proofs during secondary education and university, noting a lack of formal instruction. Many learned through exposure rather than structured teaching, with some discovering proof techniques like the Pigeon-Hole Principle and induction later in their studies. There is a consensus that proofs should be introduced earlier in the curriculum, as current methods often rely on rote memorization rather than fostering a deep understanding. The quality of educational resources is also criticized, with many feeling that textbooks do not adequately explain concepts or provide sufficient exercises for practice. Overall, the conversation highlights a perceived gap in proof education and the need for improved teaching methods in mathematics.
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In online maths fora we often see posts like the first post in thttp://www.mathhelpboards.com/f15/book-recommendations-proofs-1649/#post7709 from kanderson.

When I was in secondary education and then an undergraduate we were never taught about poofs, rather we saw them and produced our own. When I was first at university we were recomended Polya, but it was already too late there was lttle in "How to Solve It" that was not familiar. The only thing I learned about proof after leaving secondary education was a research technique: "If you can't prove what you want, prove what you can" and that I had to manufacture myself to resolve a crisis while writing up my thesis.

So my question is, when did picking up methods of proof become a problem (assuming it is)

CB
 
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CaptainBlack said:
In online maths fora we often see posts like the first post in thttp://www.mathhelpboards.com/f15/book-recommendations-proofs-1649/#post7709 from kanderson.

When I was in secondary education and then an undergraduate we were never taught about poofs, rather we saw them and produced our own. When I was first at university we were recomended Polya, but it was already too late there was lttle in "How to Solve It" that was not familiar. The only thing I learned about proof after leaving secondary education was a research technique: "If you can't prove what you want, prove what you can" and that I had to manufacture myself to resolve a crisis while writing up my thesis.

So my question is, when did picking up methods of proof become a problem (assuming it is)

CB
Few years back when I first encountered the problem that "In a party 6 friends meet, prove that one can find 3 mutual friends or 3 mutual strangers among them" I found out that Pigeon-Hole principle lies at the heart of the solution. Although pigeon-hole principle is a pretty natural thing in itself, it was not obvious to me that the problem could be solved using PHP. Then many Olympiad problems had their solutions starting with "Consider the smallest...", and suddenly the problem became trivial. So this was another proof technique I had to assimilate-The Extremal Principle. Induction seemed to be natural in many cases but in the beginning I used to find it tricky 'on what I should apply induction'.
But now, after so many years, I am comfortable with method of proof I see.
 
Lol sorry, its not that its hard, I just think the books I get are pretty bad at explaining or don't have as much excercises.
 
kanderson said:
Lol sorry, its not that its hard, I just think the books I get are pretty bad at explaining or don't have as much excercises.

I think CB has a legitimate point and wasn't picking on you, just your thread prompted him to make his post. The first time proofs were introduced to me was in 8th grade geometry and they weren't brought up again until Linear Algebra in college. When brought they were more like "watch and repeat" forms, which doesn't lead to a deep understanding. I wish proofs were introduced in high school curriculum to some degree everywhere.
 
https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/ lists the next set of conferences 2026 Winter Meeting - January 17 - 19, Las Vegas, Nevada 2026 Summer Meeting - July 18 - 22, Pasadena, California 2027 Winter Meeting - January 9 - 12, New Orleans, Louisiana 2027 Summer Meeting - July 31 - August 4, Washington, DC I won't be attending the 2026 Winter Meeting in Las Vegas... For me, it's too close to the start of the semester. https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/wm2026/index.cfm...

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