Diagnostic study of mathematical reasoning in novice university students

Irma Joachin-Arizmendi; Edgardo Locia-Espinoza; Armando Morales-Carballo; Gerardo Reyna-Hernández

doi:10.29333/iejme/14862

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Irma Joachin-Arizmendi ¹ ^* , Edgardo Locia-Espinoza ¹ , Armando Morales-Carballo ¹ , Gerardo Reyna-Hernández ¹

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¹ Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Guerrero, MEXICO^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at diagnosing how newly enrolled mathematics majors reason from a mathematical standpoint when they are required to perform inductive and deductive processes and validate or refute claims of a general nature. The theoretical framework underpinning this research comprises studies and investigations related to mathematical reasoning. The results of this diagnostic reveal that students lack mathematical reasoning skills that would allow them to justify statements of a general nature. In addition, they face difficulties in the development of deductive reasoning, are prone to generalize based on specific cases and lack skills in mathematical argumentation. On the other hand, they lack basic algebra skills such as developing square binomials and factoring. These findings highlight the need to design and implement a didactic proposal that fosters the development of reasoning and argumentation in students.

Keywords

mathematical reasoning
deductive reasoning
inductive reasoning
justification

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INT ELECT J MATH ED, Volume 19, Issue 3, August 2024, Article No: em0788

https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14862

Publication date: 23 Jul 2024

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How to cite this article

APA

Joachin-Arizmendi, I., Locia-Espinoza, E., Morales-Carballo, A., & Reyna-Hernández, G. (2024). Diagnostic study of mathematical reasoning in novice university students. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 19(3), em0788. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14862

Vancouver

Joachin-Arizmendi I, Locia-Espinoza E, Morales-Carballo A, Reyna-Hernández G. Diagnostic study of mathematical reasoning in novice university students. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2024;19(3):em0788. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14862

AMA

Joachin-Arizmendi I, Locia-Espinoza E, Morales-Carballo A, Reyna-Hernández G. Diagnostic study of mathematical reasoning in novice university students. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2024;19(3), em0788. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14862

Chicago

Joachin-Arizmendi, Irma, Edgardo Locia-Espinoza, Armando Morales-Carballo, and Gerardo Reyna-Hernández. "Diagnostic study of mathematical reasoning in novice university students". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education 2024 19 no. 3 (2024): em0788. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14862

Harvard

Joachin-Arizmendi, I., Locia-Espinoza, E., Morales-Carballo, A., and Reyna-Hernández, G. (2024). Diagnostic study of mathematical reasoning in novice university students. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 19(3), em0788. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14862

MLA

Joachin-Arizmendi, Irma et al. "Diagnostic study of mathematical reasoning in novice university students". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, vol. 19, no. 3, 2024, em0788. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14862