MAT198

Session 7
Background of the Study

Discuss the origin of your problem. Cite some

literatures and studies related to your problem. Note
that a Pure Mathematical Research do not have
RRL. Instead we have the Preliminary Concepts (or
sometimes they call it Theoretical Framework). This
is the reason why the related studies are mentioned
in this section. Mention the prevailing circumstances
which lead you to conduct your study.
Background of the Study
The research gap that you are trying to
addressed should also be mentioned here. An
ideal Background of the Study section is
consist of 2 to 2 ½ pages.
Statement of the Problem
As what we have discussed before, a Pure
Mathematical Research may also have
Objectives of the Study section aside from the
main statement of the problem. The Statement
of the Problem contains the main problem
(general) in your study while the objectives are
the specific problems that you want to solve.
Objectives of the Study

These objectives are similar to those items

(problems) which were enumerated under the SOP
section of a Math Ed type of research. Please refer
to the Session 1 slides. The only difference is that
these objectives of a pure math research are
answered or addressed in Chapter 3 (Methodology),
unlike in Math Ed research wherein the problems
(different SOPs) are being addressed in Chapter 4
(Results and Discussions).
Significance of the Study

The contents of this section are similar to the usual

Significance of the Study section of any type of
research/thesis/study. The significance of the
study to the various stakeholders must also be
included.

Scope and De/Limitation

Most often, a pure mathematical research do not

contain this section.
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS

This chapter serves as the Review of Related

Literature and Studies of an MS Math thesis.
Sometimes, this chapter is also being labelled as the
Theoretical Framework for this chapter contains all
the definitions and results (propositions, lemmas,
theorems, corollaries) which are essential to the
study. In some rare cases, those related studies which
are highly relevant to the results included in this
chapter may also be cited here.
The proper way of writing a definition is as
follows:

The word “Definition” in bold letters must be

written first every time you define a term in this
chapter. This is followed by its corresponding
numerical sequencing assignment, e.g., 2.1, 2.2,
etc.

The mathematical term that you define must be

written in bold and italicized letters.
Definition 2.1. A group G is said to be cyclic if
there exists aG such that a = G.

Definition 2.2. A relation R from A into B is said to

be symmetric if for all x, y  A, (x, y)  R implies
that (y, x)R.

Definition 2.3. A sequence (xn) of real numbers is

called a Cauchy sequence if for all  > 0, there is
a natural number N such that for all m, n > N,
xm − xn < .
If the term that you define is a new
mathematical term (i.e., an original term), it
may be placed in the next chapter.

Note: Although most of the definitions are

written in Q if P form, but it is understood
that all the definitions are if and only if
statements.
PROPOSITIONS

In Mathematical Logic, a proposition is a

statement that is either true or false. In our
course, we will usually call a mathematical
proposition a theorem. A theorem is a main
result. A proposition that is mainly of interest
to prove a larger theorem is called a lemma.
Some intermediate results are
called propositions. Basic results are
usually labelled as propositions.
LEMMAS

A lemma is a generally minor, proven

proposition which is used as a stepping stone
to a larger result. For that reason, it is also
known as a "helping theorem" or an "auxiliary
theorem.“

Examples:
Fatou’s Lemma, Euclid’s Lemma,
Zorn’s Lemma
THEOREM
A theorem is a statement that can be
demonstrated to be true by accepted
mathematical operations and arguments.
In general, a theorem is an embodiment of some
general principle that makes it part of a larger
theory. The process of showing a theorem to be
correct is called a proof.
Examples:
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus,
Pythagorean Theorem, Mean Value Theorem
COROLLARIES
A corollary is a theorem or lemma connected by a
short proof to an existing theorem or lemma.

The use of the term corollary, rather than

proposition or theorem, is intrinsically subjective.

More formally, proposition B is a corollary of

proposition A, if B can be readily deduced from A or
is self-evident from its proof.