On the dual nature of mathematical conceptions: Reflections on processes and objects as different sides of the same coin. Sfard, A. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 22(1):1–36, February, 1991.
On the dual nature of mathematical conceptions: Reflections on processes and objects as different sides of the same coin [link]Paper  doi  abstract   bibtex   
This paper presents a theoretical framework for investigating the role of algorithms in mathematical thinking. In the study, a combined ontological-psychological outlook is applied. An analysis of different mathematical definitions and representations brings us to the conclusion that abstract notions, such as number or function, can be conceived in two fundamentally different ways: structurally - as objects, and operationally as processes. These two approaches, although ostensibly incompatible, are in fact complementary. It will be shown that the processes of learning and of problem-solving consist in an intricate interplay between operational and structural conceptions of the same notions.
@article{sfard_dual_1991,
	title = {On the dual nature of mathematical conceptions: {Reflections} on processes and objects as different sides of the same coin},
	volume = {22},
	issn = {0013-1954, 1573-0816},
	shorttitle = {On the dual nature of mathematical conceptions},
	url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/BF00302715},
	doi = {10.1007/BF00302715},
	abstract = {This paper presents a theoretical framework for investigating the role of algorithms in mathematical thinking. In the study, a combined ontological-psychological outlook is applied. An analysis of different mathematical definitions and representations brings us to the conclusion that abstract notions, such as number or function, can be conceived in two fundamentally different ways: structurally - as objects, and operationally as processes. These two approaches, although ostensibly incompatible, are in fact complementary. It will be shown that the processes of learning and of problem-solving consist in an intricate interplay between operational and structural conceptions of the same notions.},
	language = {en},
	number = {1},
	urldate = {2022-10-23},
	journal = {Educational Studies in Mathematics},
	author = {Sfard, Anna},
	month = feb,
	year = {1991},
	pages = {1--36},
}

Downloads: 0