7HDFKHUNQRZOHGJH

An issue for realising the mathematical

potential of girls

Lloyd Dawe
Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Sydney
<ldawe@plc.nsw.edu.au>

7KLVSDSHUDGGUHVVHVWKHFRQWLQXLQJQHHGIRUPDWKHPDWLFVWHDFKHUVWRHQULFK
WKHLUPDWKHPDWLFDONQRZOHGJHEH\RQGWKHVFKRROFXUULFXOXPLQRUGHUWRHIIHFWLYHO\
HQJDJHVWXGHQWVLQFUHDWLYHDQGLPDJLQDWLYHWKLQNLQJSDUWLFXODUO\EXWQRWH[FOX
VLYHO\VWXGHQWVZKRVKRZH[FHSWLRQDOSURPLVH7KHDXWKRUDUHWLUHGXQLYHUVLW\
SURIHVVRUZRUNVVWDIIDQGVWXGHQWVLQDJLUOV·SULYDWHVFKRROLQ6\GQH\IRUWKLV
SXUSRVH7KHSDSHUSURYLGHVH[DPSOHVRILPDJLQDWLYHSUREOHPVROYLQJJDWKHUHG
RYHUD\HDUSHULRGZKLFKKDVOHGWRVLJQLÀFDQWPDWKHPDWLFDOLQVLJKWIRUERWK
VWDIIDQGVWXGHQWV,WSURPRWHVWKHUHDOLVDWLRQRIPDWKHPDWLFDOSRWHQWLDORIVWXG
HQWVFRQFXUUHQWO\ZLWKWKHSURIHVVLRQDOGHYHORSPHQWRIWHDFKHUV,WLVDUJXHGWKDW
WKLVEHVWKDSSHQVLQPDWKHPDWLFVFODVVURRPVZLWKH[SHULHQFHGPDWKHPDWLFV
HGXFDWRUVZRUNLQJDORQJVLGHWHDFKHUV

Introduction

,WZDV-DQXDU\$IWHUJUDGXDWLQJIURP6\GQH\8QLYHUVLW\DQGEHLQJRQD7HDFKHUV
&ROOHJHVFKRODUVKLS,ZDVDSSRLQWHGWRWHDFKVFLHQFHDW6RXWK6\GQH\%R\V·+LJK6FKRRO
:KHQ,DUULYHG,PHWWKHSULQFLSDO7RP7DVNHUDQGZDVSOHDVDQWO\VXUSULVHGDVZHKDG
ZRUNHGWRJHWKHUDVODEGHPRQVWUDWRUVIRUSK\VLFVVWXGHQWVDWWKHXQLYHUVLW\LQP\ÀQDO\HDU
,GLGQRWNQRZLWWKHQEXWKHFDPHLQDIWHUVFKRROWRWHDFKSK\VLFVDQGVXSHUYLVHVWXGHQWV·
SUDFWLFDOZRUNLQWKHODEV+HZDVEULOOLDQWTXLHWDQGHQFRXUDJLQJ+LVÀUVWZRUGVZHUH
VRPHWKLQJOLNH

/OR\GLW·VJRRGWRKDYH\RXRQERDUG%XWWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI(GXFDWLRQKDVVHQW
PHWRRPDQ\VFLHQFHJUDGVDQG,·PVKRUWRIPDWKHPDWLFVWHDFKHUVHVSHFLDOO\
SHRSOHDEOHWRWHDFKVHQLRUFRXUVHV,ZRXOGOLNH\RXWRPHHW-LP&RURQHRV+HDG
RI0DWKHPDWLFV,NQRZ\RXKDYHWUDLQHGIRUSK\VLFVDQGFKHPLVWU\EXW-LPKDV
DJUHHGWRPHQWRU\RX+HZLOOWHDFK\RXDOO\RXQHHGWRNQRZ

,WZDVRQO\PHDQWWREHDWHPSRUDU\DUUDQJHPHQWIRUÀUVWWHUP+RZHYHUWKDWÀUVWGD\
P\WHDFKLQJOLIHZDVFKDQJHGIRUHYHU-LPWXUQHGRXWWREHWKHPRVWG\QDPLFHQWKXVLDVWLF
WHDFKHU,KDGHYHUPHW$QGPHQWRUPHKHGLGKHOSLQJPHSUHSDUHOHVVRQVREVHUYLQJP\
WHDFKLQJPRGHOOLQJJRRGWHDFKLQJWHFKQLTXHVDQGHQFRXUDJLQJPHWRKHOSKLPZULWHQHZ
H[DPSOHVIRUKLVWH[WERRNV$V,ORRNEDFNRQWKRVHGD\VLWZDVKLVGHVLUHWKDW,GHYHORS
DYHU\VWURQJNQRZOHGJHRIPDWKHPDWLFVLWVHOIWKDWLVVRVWULNLQJ%HIRUH,ZHQWWRWHDFK,
WKRXJKW,NQHZDJUHDWGHDORIPDWKHPDWLFV,GLGLQWKHRU\%XW,IRXQGLQWKDWÀUVW\HDU

26 amt 73(1) 2017

WKDW,KDGPXFKWROHDUQ$VWRWKHQDWXUHRISXUHPDWKHPDWLFVLWVHOI³WKHEHDXW\RILWVIRUPV
WKHQDWXUHRISURRIDQGWKHKLVWRU\RILWVJURZWK,ZDVDQRYLFH6XFKNQRZOHGJHZDVWKHÀUVW
VWHSLQKHOSLQJVWXGHQWVWRHQJDJHZLWKPDWKHPDWLFVHQWKXVLDVWLFDOO\WRWKLQNFUHDWLYHO\DQG
WRORYHWKHVXEMHFWIRULWVRZQVDNH7KLVTXHVWEHFDPHP\OLIH·VZRUN
7KHDLPRIWKLVSDSHULVWRH[SODLQKRZWKHHQULFKPHQWSURJUDPDW3UHVE\WHULDQ/DGLHV·
&ROOHJH6\GQH\3/&6SURPRWHVWKHPDWKHPDWLFDOSRWHQWLDORIDOOVWXGHQWVDQGDOVRVHUYHV
DVSURIHVVLRQDOGHYHORSPHQWIRUWKHFROOHJH·VWHDFKHUV

7KHHQULFKPHQWSURJUDPDW3/&6

6WDIIDW3/&6DUHWUXO\SURIHVVLRQDOSHRSOHZKRKDYHH[WHQVLYHNQRZOHGJHRIWKHVFKRRO
FXUULFXOXP,WLVZKHQNQRZOHGJHRXWVLGHWKHXVXDOFXUULFXOXPRUGHHSHUNQRZOHGJHZLWKLQ
LWLVUHTXLUHGWKDWWKHDXWKRU·VVXSSRUWRUDGYLFHPD\FRPHLQWRSOD\7KLVVXSSRUWQRWRQO\
FRYHUVFRQWHQWNQRZOHGJHEXWDOVRKLVWRULFDODQGVFLHQWLÀFNQRZOHGJHUHOHYDQWWRRXUZRUN
2YHUWLPHVWDIIKDYHVHHQVXFKLQSXWDVYHU\YDOXDEOH,KDYHHDUQHGWKHLUWUXVWWKURXJK
KRQRXULQJWKHLUSURIHVVLRQDOVNLOOVDQGFRQFHQWUDWLQJRQWKHPDWKHPDWLFVLWVHOIUDWKHUWKDQ
SHGDJRJ\,WLVDWZRZD\LQWHUDFWLRQ,OHDUQDVPXFKIURPWKHPDVWKH\IURPPH,QWKH
SURFHVVWKHNQRZOHGJHEDVHRIWKHWHDFKHUVDQGVWXGHQWVFRQWLQXHVWRJURZVWURQJO\
$W3/&6WKHHQULFKPHQWSURJUDPEHJLQVLQWKH-XQLRU6FKRROLQ<HDU6HFRQGDU\VWDII
DUHDOORFDWHGWRWHDFKDORQJVLGHSULPDU\VWDIIDVDUHJXODUSDUWRIWKHLUWHDFKLQJGXWLHV,Q
<HDUWKHUHLVDWRSFODVVLQWHQGHGIRUHYHQWXDODFFHOHUDWLRQDQGDVHFRQGFODVV7KHVHWZR
FODVVHVDUHWKHPDLQWDUJHWRIP\UROHLQWKHHQULFKPHQWSURJUDPIRU<HDU7KHIRFXVRQWKH
WRSWZRFODVVHVFRQWLQXHVLQ<HDUV²,QWKHVH\HDUVWKHWRSFODVVLVDFFHOHUDWHGWRFRPSOHWH
WKH<HDUV²FRXUVHZRUNLQWZR\HDUVDOORZLQJHDUO\FRPSOHWLRQRIWKH([WHQVLRQ+LJKHU
6FKRRO&HUWLÀFDWH0DWKHPDWLFVLQ<HDU,Q<HDUVWXGHQWVPD\FRQWLQXHWRFKRRVHPDWK
HPDWLFVDW([WHQVLRQOHYHOWKHKLJKHVWOHYHOLQSUHSDUDWLRQIRUXQLYHUVLW\RUMXVWIRUWKH
ORYHRIWKHVXEMHFW7KHSROLF\RIJUDGLQJDQGDFFHOHUDWLQJVRPHVWXGHQWVLVVWLOOFRQWURYHUVLDO
LQVRPHVFKRROVKRZHYHU3/&6SDUHQWVJHQHUDOO\DSSURYHRIWKHRSSRUWXQLW\
$Q\HQULFKPHQWSURJUDPQHHGVDVWURQJPDWKHPDWLFDOEDVH:HXVHWKHERRNOHWVDQGSURE
OHPVVHWE\WKH$XVWUDOLDQ0DWKHPDWLFV7UXVWUHIHUHQFH7KHUHDGHUZLOOEHDEOHWRLGHQWLI\
WKHVDPHRUVLPLODUPDWHULDOVIRUWKHLURZQVWDWHV,QLWLDOO\VWXGHQWVPD\ZRUNZLWKDEXGG\
EXWDUHZHDQHGWRZDUGVZRUNLQJRQWKHLURZQ7KHSURJUDPFXOPLQDWHVLQWKH$XVWUDOLDQ
,QWHUPHGLDWH0DWKHPDWLFV2O\PSLDG$,02UHIHUHQFHZKLFKLVDLPHGDWSURPLVLQJ
VWXGHQWVXSWR<HDU:HDOVRXVHWKHSUREOHPVIURPWKHDQQXDO8QLYHUVLW\RI16:6FKRRO
0DWKHPDWLFV&RPSHWLWLRQVUHIHUHQFH2XUJLUOVYROXQWHHUIRUHQWU\WRWKHVHFRPSHWLWLRQVDQG
ZHXVHWKHH[SHULHQFHIRUWUDLQLQJSXUSRVHVDVSDUWRIWKHRYHUDOO3/&6HQULFKPHQWSURJUDP
2WKHUSUREOHPVVHWE\LQWHUQDWLRQDOFRPSHWLWLRQVVXFKDVWKH:RUOG7HDP0DWKHPDWLFV
&KDPSLRQVKLSUHIHUHQFHDUHDOVRYHU\XVHIXO
7KHUROHRIFRPSHWLWLRQVLQWKHHQULFKPHQWSURJUDPLVYHU\LPSRUWDQW7KHPRUHGLIÀFXOW
RQHVDUHYROXQWDU\EXWZHPD\LQYLWHRQO\DVHOHFWHGJURXSWRWDNHSDUW+RZHYHUWKH
$XVWUDOLDQ0DWKHPDWLFV&RPSHWLWLRQ$0&LVFRPSXOVRU\7KHVHDUHXVHIXOWUDLQLQJH[SHUL
HQFHVIRUVWXGHQWVDVZHOODVH[FHOOHQWVRXUFHVRILQYHVWLJDWLRQV3XEOLVKHGIRUPDOVROXWLRQV
FDQEHLQDSSURSULDWHIRUVRPHVWXGHQWVDQGPD\QHHGIXUWKHUH[SODQDWLRQ3DUWRIP\UROH
LVWRSUHSDUHVWXGHQWVIRUWKHVHFRPSHWLWLRQVZLWKRXWWKHSUHVVXUHWRJDLQKLJKPDUNV7KH
FRPSHWLWLRQVHQDEOHKLJKHUPDWKHPDWLFDOWKRXJKWDQGJURZWKWKURXJKSHUVHYHUDQFH
2YHUWKH\HDUVWKHUHFRUGRIDFKLHYHPHQWRIWKHJLUOVSDUWLFLSDWLQJLQWKH(QULFKPHQW
3URJUDPKDVEHHQRXWVWDQGLQJ7KHVHVWXGHQWVDUHRIWHQLQYLWHGEDFNWRWKHDQQXDODZDUGV
FHUHPRQ\WRSUHVHQWFHUWLÀFDWHVIRUH[FHOOHQFHLQPDWKHPDWLFVWRHQFRXUDJH\RXQJHUJLUOV

amt 73(1) 2017 27

 WRFRQWLQXHLQPDWKHPDWLFV)URPWKHDFFXPXODWLQJHYLGHQFHRIWKHSDVWÀYH\HDUVDW3/&6
,UHJDUGWHDFKHUNQRZOHGJHDVDGHWHUPLQLQJIDFWRULQWKHGHYHORSPHQWRIFUHDWLYLW\DQG
LPDJLQDWLRQLQPDWKHPDWLFVHGXFDWLRQIRUDOOVWXGHQWV

0DWKHPDWLFDONQRZOHGJHDQGWKHLPSRUWDQFHRISURRI

,QWKH3/&6HQULFKPHQWSURJUDPZHSD\LQFUHDVLQJDWWHQWLRQWRWKHGHYHORSPHQWRI
VWXGHQWXQGHUVWDQGLQJRISURRI3URRILVWKHHVVHQFHRISXUHPDWKHPDWLFVDQGDWLWVKHDUW
LVGHGXFWLYHUHDVRQLQJ
3DGXODVWDWHVWKDWWKHPDMRULW\RIODZ\HUVDUHIHPDOHODZEHLQJDSURIHVVLRQZKLFK
UHTXLUHVDJRRGJUDVSRIODQJXDJHUKHWRULFDQGORJLF6KHFLWHVWKHRULJLQVRISURRILQDQFLHQW
*UHHFHDQGWKHLUODZFRXUWVDQGEXLOGVDFDVHIRUWHDFKLQJVWXGHQWVWKHVWUXFWXUHRISURRI
VWDUWLQJIURPH[DPSOHVLQOLWHUDWXUHÀOPDQGWHOHYLVLRQ7KHDQDO\VLVRIWKHVWUXFWXUHRI
IDPRXVVSHHFKHVVXFKDV$EUDKDP/LQFROQ·VVSHHFKLQGHIHQFHRIWKH8QLRQRUWKHFRXUW
VFHQHIURP4O+ILLA-OCKINGBIRDSURYLGHLQWHUHVWLQJPRWLYDWLQJH[DPSOHVWROHDGLQWRIRUPDO
PDWKHPDWLFDOSURRI7KHQRWLRQWKDWJLUOVSDUWLFXODUO\WKRVHZLWKVWURQJODQJXDJHVNLOOV
ZRXOGEHQHÀWIURPDFRXUVHLQSXUHPDWKHPDWLFVIURPWKLVSHUVSHFWLYHLVDWWUDFWLYHIRUGHYHO
RSLQJWKHLUPDWKHPDWLFDOSRWHQWLDO)XUWKHUGLIIHUHQWSURRIVRIWKHVDPHWKHRUHPKDYHOHG
PDWKHPDWLFLDQVWRFRPSDUHSURRIVIRUVLPSOLFLW\LPDJLQDWLRQEHDXW\DQGHOHJDQFH6XFK
WKLQJVFDQEHGLVFXVVHGZLWKWHDFKHUVDQGLQFODVVDFFRUGLQJWRWKHH[SHULHQFHDQGDSSUR
SULDWHOHYHOVRIWKHVWXGHQWV
7KHKLVWRU\RIPDWKHPDWLFVDQGVFLHQFHDOVRSOD\VDQLPSRUWDQWUROHLQPRWLYDWLQJ
VWXGHQWV:HKDYHIRXQGWKHJLUOVORYHWRKHDUDERXWDQFLHQWDQGPRGHUQFXOWXUHVDQGWKH
OLYHVRIIDPRXVPDWKHPDWLFLDQVLQFOXGLQJWKHSDUWLFXODUFRQWULEXWLRQVRIZRPHQ)RUH[DP
SOHLQWKHEULOOLDQW$PHULFDQDVWURQRPHU+HQULHWWD/HDYLWWGLVFRYHUHGDZD\WRPHDV
XUHWKHGLVWDQFHVWRIDUJDOD[LHV+HUGLVFRYHU\OHG(GZLQ+XEEOHWRGHWHUPLQHWKHXQLYHUVH
LVH[SDQGLQJWKHJLUOVZDQWWRNQRZKRZDQGZK\+LVWRULFDOGHWDLOVRIWKHGHYHORSPHQWRI
GLIIHUHQWEUDQFKHVRIPDWKHPDWLFVGLIIHUHQWZD\VRINQRZLQJDQGGLIIHUHQWNLQGVRINQRZO
HGJHKDYHDOOFRPHXSLQIRUPDOO\LQFRQYHUVDWLRQVZLWKVWDII7KH\DUHHVVHQWLDOIRUFRPSDUL
VRQZLWKPDWKHPDWLFDONQRZOHGJHKRZLWLVHYROYLQJDQGZKHUHLWPD\OHDGPDQNLQG
6FLHQWLÀFNQRZOHGJHHPHUJHVDVGLIIHUHQWIURPPDWKHPDWLFDONQRZOHGJH6FLHQWLÀFNQRZO
HGJHVWDUWVIURPDK\SRWKHVLVDERXWWKHUHDOZRUOGXVXDOO\H[SUHVVHGLQPDWKHPDWLFDOWHUPV
)URPREVHUYDWLRQDQGH[SHULPHQWHYLGHQFHLVJDWKHUHGVXEMHFWWRYHULÀFDWLRQRYHUWLPH,IWKH
UHVXOWVFRQÀUPWKHK\SRWKHVLVLWLVDFFHSWHGVXEMHFWWRIXUWKHUH[SHULPHQW7KHZRUG´SURRIµ
LVJHQHUDOO\DYRLGHGLQVFLHQFHDVWKHNQRZOHGJHJDLQHGPD\FKDQJHZLWKPRUHLQIRUPHG
WKHRU\DQGIXUWKHUH[SHULPHQW
1RWVRPDWKHPDWLFDONQRZOHGJH2QFHDSURRIRIDPDWKHPDWLFDOSURSRVLWLRQLVDFFHSWHG
E\WKHPDWKHPDWLFVFRPPXQLW\RIVFKRODUVLWLVFRQVLGHUHGSURYHG7KHKLVWRULFDODEVROXWLVW
YLHZLVWKDWPDWKHPDWLFVLVDERG\RIXQLYHUVDOREMHFWLYHNQRZOHGJHZKLFKFDQEHUHOLHGXSRQ
WREHFHUWDLQ+RZHYHUDVPDOOEXWJURZLQJQXPEHURISKLORVRSKHUVDQGPDWKHPDWLFLDQVIRU
H[DPSOH(UQHVW'DYLVDQG+HUVKVHHPDWKHPDWLFDONQRZOHGJHDVIDOOLEOHFDSD
EOHRIEHLQJHUURQHRXVFRUULJLEOHFDSDEOHRIEHLQJFRUUHFWHGWHQWDWLYHDQGHYROYLQJ6XFK
RSSRVLQJYLHZVDUHZHOOZRUWKVWDIIGLVFXVVLRQ

7ZROHDUQLQJVFHQDULRV

7KHWZROHDUQLQJVFHQDULRVZKLFKIROORZSURYLGHH[DPSOHVRIFUHDWLYHZRUNZKLFKRFFXUUHG
GXULQJPDWKHPDWLFVOHVVRQV7KHVFHQDULRVZHUHGRFXPHQWHGE\VWDIIRYHUDSHULRGRIÀYH

28 amt 73(1) 2017

\HDUVDQGDUHEHLQJFRQWLQXDOO\XSGDWHG7KHOHVVRQVWKHPVHOYHVWLPHWDEOHGDQGUHTXHVWHG
E\HDFKWHDFKHUKDYHEHFRPHNQRZQWRVWXGHQWVDV¶'U'DZHOHVVRQV·6WXGHQWVUHDOLVHWKDW
WKH\ZLOOJHQHUDOO\EHOHGWRWKLQNFUHDWLYHO\WRXVHWKHLULPDJLQDWLRQVDQGWRSHUVHYHUHZLWK
GLIÀFXOWSUREOHPV$OWKRXJKWKLVLVWKHFDVHIRUDOORIRXUVWXGHQWVLQZKDWHYHUFODVVKHUHWKH
EDUZDVUDLVHGFRQVLGHUDEO\KLJKHU)HHGEDFNIURPVWXGHQWVLQ<HDUVKRZHGWKDWIRUVRPH
WKHFKDOOHQJHWRPRYHIURPWKHLUFRPIRUW]RQHVFRXOGEHGLVWUHVVLQJ7KH\SUHIHUUHGH[HUFLVHV
WKH\FRXOGPDQDJHLPPHGLDWHO\2WKHUVUHYHOOHGLQWKHFKDQFHWRH[SORUHDQHZFRQFHSW
ZKHUHPXFKPRUHZDVEHLQJDVNHGRIWKHP

/HDUQLQJVFHQDULR7KHDULWKPHWLFJHRPHWULFPHDQLQHTXDOLW\
,QHTXDOLWLHVLVDWRSLFZKLFKPDQ\VWXGHQWVÀQGGLIÀFXOW7KLVOHVVRQORRNVDKHDGWRZRUNLQJ
ZLWKLQHTXDOLWLHVLQ<HDUVDQGDQGWRPHWKRGVRISURRI,QSDUWLFXODUWKHFODVVVHWRXW
a
b
WRSURYHWKDWLIDDQGEDUHWZRSRVLWLYHUHDOQXPEHUVWKHQ ab ZLWKHTXDOLW\LIDQG
2
RQO\LIa = B7KHREMHFWLYHZDVWRFRPSDUHWKUHHGLIIHUHQWSURRIVWRSURYLGHRSSRUWXQLW\IRU
FUHDWLYHZRUNDQGWRFRPSDUHDOJHEUDLFGHGXFWLYHUHDVRQLQJZLWKJHRPHWULFUHDVRQLQJ
,QHDFKFDVHVWXGHQWVZHUHJLYHQDVWDUWLQJSRLQWIURPZKLFKWRUHDVRQ

Method 1
*LYHQWKHGDWDDQGFRQVLGHULQJZKDWKDVWREHSURYHGKRZVKRXOGZHVWDUW":K\XVHD
SHUIHFWVTXDUHVXFKDVa BRUD²B":KDWLVWKHOLQNZHUHTXLUH"6WXGHQWVGLVFXVVHG
DQGZRUNHGLQVPDOOJURXSV:LWKVRPHHIIRUWDQGVHYHUDOIUXLWIXOFRQYHUVDWLRQVDVROXWLRQ
ZDVSUHVHQWHGYHUEDOO\E\WZRVWXGHQWVDQGZULWWHQZLWKH[SODQDWLRQVWHSE\VWHSRQWKH
ZKLWHERDUGDVIROORZV
:HDUHJLYHQWKDWWKHUHDOQXPEHUVaDQGBDUHERWK!7KHQWKHVTXDUHRIWKHLU
GLIIHUHQFHLVDOVR•EHLQJ]HURLIa = B
1RZa ²B
= a²ABB•WKHGLIIHUHQFHVTXDUHGLVSRVLWLYH
 ÜaB•AB
:HDGGAB!WRERWKVLGHVWRFUHDWHDSHUIHFWVTXDUHRQWKH/+6
 ÜaBAB•ABAB
 ÜaB•ABDQGWDNLQJWKHVTXDUHURRW
 Ü a
b ab
2

6RPHJLUOVUHSRUWHGWKH\WULHGWKHVTXDUHRIaBÀUVWEXWFDPHWRDGHDGHQG9DOXDEOH
LQVLJKWHPHUJHGZKHQWKH\WULHGWKHVTXDUHRIWKHGLIIHUHQFH

Method 2
:KDWDERXWLIZHVWDUWZLWK a DQG b "7KHJLUOVGLGQRWVXJJHVWWKLV1RRQHWKRXJKWWRXVH
LWDVDVWDUWLQJSRLQW:KHQJLYHQWKHKLQWDQH[FLWHGJURXSFDPHXSZLWK*LYHQaDQGBDUH
ERWK!WKHQ a DQG b DUHERWK!DQGVRZLOOEHWKHVTXDUHRIWKHLUGLIIHUHQFH0RVWJLUOV
WKHQJRWWKHIROORZLQJUHVXOWYHU\TXLFNO\
2
 a – b 

 a – 2 ab
b  0

   Ü a
b 2 ab DQGWKHUHVXOWIROORZV
7KHGLVFXVVLRQQRZWXUQHGWRFRPSDULVRQ0RVWVWXGHQWVIDYRUHG0HWKRGEHLQJ
WKHVLPSOHUDQGIDVWHUZD\WRWKHVROXWLRQEXWRQO\DIWHUXQGHUVWDQGLQJ0HWKRG

amt 73(1) 2017 29

 Method 3
:HWKHQWXUQHGWRDWHDFKHULQLWLDWHGJHRPHWULFDUJXPHQW:HGLVFXVVHGWKHPHWKRGRI
UHSUHVHQWLQJQXPEHUVDVOLQHVHJPHQWVLQDQFLHQW*UHHFHDQGWKHZRUNRI3\WKDJRUDV$Q
LQWHUQHWH[SORUDWLRQSURYLGHGVRPHEHDXWLIXOO\SUHVHQWHGLQIRUPDWLRQ:HWKHQFRQVWUXFWHG
D*HRPHWHU·V6NHWFKSDGGLDJUDP)LJXUHVKRZLQJaBDVWKHMRLQHGVWUDLJKWOLQH!"%\
a
b
GUDZLQJDFLUFOHRQ!"DVGLDPHWHUZHFRQVWUXFWHGWKHUDGLXV DQGGHGXFHG ab DVWKH
2
OHQJWKRIWKHSHUSHQGLFXODU#0,WZDVYLVXDOO\REYLRXVWKDWWKHLQHTXDOLW\ZRXOGLQGHHGKROG
IURPWKHSURSHUW\RIWKHULJKWDQJOHGWULDQJOHWKHK\SRWHQXVHLVJUHDWHUWKDQWKHSHUSHQ
GLFXODUKHLJKW:HGUDJJHG#DORQJ!" to MWRVKRZHTXDOLW\ZKHQa = B7KHUHZDVVRPH
GLVFXVVLRQDERXWZKHWKHUWKLVZDVD´SURRIµRUUDWKHUDYLVXDOGHPRQVWUDWLRQ
7KHGLVFXVVLRQZKLFKIROORZHGZDVYHU\YDOXDEOH6WXGHQWVJHQHUDOO\RSWHGIRU0HWKRG
DVWKHPRVWHIÀFLHQWSURRI0HWKRGZDVMXVWDVFRQYLQFLQJEXWORQJHU0HWKRGKRZHYHU
ZDVQRWFRQVLGHUHGD´SURRIµEXWDEHDXWLIXOYLVXDOGHPRQVWUDWLRQRILWVWUXWK$OOWKUHHKDG
PHULW7KHERRNVE\1HOVHQZHUHSDVVHGDURXQGVRWKDWVWXGHQWVWRVHHRWKHUH[DP
SOHV,QJHQHUDOVWXGHQWVDJUHHGZLWK1HOVHQWKDWSLFWXUHVRUGLDJUDPVKHOSXVWRVHHZK\D
SDUWLFXODUVWDWHPHQWPD\EHWUXHDQGWRSURYLGHFOXHVDERXWKRZWRJRDERXWSURYLQJLWWUXH

&RQVWUXFWDSRLQW&RQWKHLQWHUYDO
$%DQGOHW!# = aDQG#" = B

'UDZ CP AB

7KHQ MP 
a
b
b
2
a
b 2b

2
a b

2
8VLQJ3\WKDJRUDVLWFDQEHVKRZQ
that
CP  ab
'UDJ#on !" to MVKRZVHTXDOLW\
ZKHQa = B

)LJXUH6NHWFKSDGGLDJUDPRIWKHLQHTXDOLW\

Learning scenario 2: Unit fractions

7KHVHFRQGH[DPSOHRIVWXGHQWFUHDWLYLW\DQGLPDJLQDWLRQFRPHVIURPDOHVVRQRQXQLWIUDF
WLRQVIUDFWLRQVZKLFKDUHIUDFWLRQVZLWKDQXPHUDWRURI,WZDVVRSURGXFWLYHZHH[WHQGHG
WKHOHVVRQVFXOPLQDWLQJLQDQLQWURGXFWLRQWRDUHFXUUHQFHUHODWLRQDQGWKHVXPPDWLRQRI
DVHTXHQFH
,WDOOEHJDQZKHQWKHWHDFKHURIWKLV<HDUFODVVVHWDSRVWHUSUREOHPIRUKHUVWXGHQWV
DVIROORZV
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
´)LQGGLIIHUHQWXQLWIUDFWLRQVVXFKWKDW





 1 µ
a b c d e f g
6WXGHQWVKDGEHHQVWXG\LQJIUDFWLRQVDVDURXWLQHSDUWRIWKHLUFXUULFXOXP7KHWHDFKHU
DVNHGPHWRLQYHVWLJDWHWKLVDVDSRVVLEOH´'U'DZHµOHVVRQ1RDQVZHUZDVSURYLGHGZLWK
WKHSRVWHU7KHUHLVQRWHQRXJKVSDFHWRSURYLGHIXOOGHWDLOVRIWKHFUHDWLYLW\DQGLPDJLQDWLRQ

30 amt 73(1) 2017

VKRZQE\WKHJLUOVEXWKHUHLVDEULHIVXPPDU\0DQ\SDWWHUQVHPHUJHGLQWKHLQYHVWLJDWLRQV
&DOFXODWRUVZHUHSHUPLWWHG
1 1
0DQ\JLUOVVWDUWHGZLWK DVWKHODUJHVWSRVVLEOHXQLWIUDFWLRQWKHQKDOYHGLWWRJHW 
1 2 4
then DUULYLQJDW
8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 4 8 16 32 64 128
127 1
+RZHYHURQFKHFNLQJWKHDQVZHUFDPHWR ZKLFKLV 128 VKRUWRI7KHIUDFWLRQVKDG
128
WREHGLIIHUHQWDQGZHQHHGHGVHYHQRIWKHP0DQ\ZHUHWHPSRUDULO\VWXPSHG$IHZWKHQ
WULHGDGGLQJWKHÀUVWIUDFWLRQVRQO\

1 1 1 1 1 1 1






1
2 4 8 16 32 f g
31 1 1
7KHÀUVWIUDFWLRQVVXPWR VRWKH\ZHUH VKRUW´+RZFRXOGZHWXUQ LQWRWKH
1 1 32 32 32
VXPRI
"µ7KLVZDVDVWLFNLQJSRLQWEXWDIWHUVRPHHIIRUWRQHJURXSFDPHXSZLWK
f g
1 1 1


32 33 33 32
1 33
32 33
33

32 33
32
1

32 33
1
E\VWDUWLQJZLWKWKHQH[WVPDOOHVWXQLWIUDFWLRQ 33 %XWWKH\KDGDQDQVZHU

1 1 1 1 1 1 1






1
2 4 8 16 32 33 1056

$URXQGWKHFODVVRWKHUDQVZHUVHPHUJHGDQGUHFRUGHGRQWKHZKLWHERDUG7KHQVRPHRQH
DVNHG´KRZPDQ\VROXWLRQVDUHWKHUH"µ,WZDVWLPHIRUWKHWHDFKHUWRLQWHUYHQH:LWKRXW
WKHIROORZLQJNQRZOHGJHWKHOHVVRQPD\KDYHFRPHWRDKDOW:HQHHGHGWRXVHDSULQFLSOH
HVWDEOLVKHGE\WKHDQFLHQW(J\SWLDQVWRVSOLWDXQLWIUDFWLRQLQWRWZRSDUWVQDPHO\

1 1 1


n n
1 n n
1

7KLVKDGWREHSURYHGIURPWKHLUUHJXODUFODVVZRUN

1 1 1
,PPHGLDWHO\ZKHQ  n  2, 

2 3 6
1 1 1
DQGZKHQ   n  4, 

4 5 20
1 1 1
DQGZKHQ   n  8, 

8 9 72

ZKLFKZKHQDGGHGJLYHVXVVL[GLIIHUHQWXQLWIUDFWLRQV

1 1 1
7KXV    

2 4 8
1 1 1 1 1 1


3 6 5 20 9 72

amt 73(1) 2017 31

 7 1
7KH,(3VXPVWR VRDGGLQJ WRHDFKVLGHWKHSUREOHPLVVROYHGDJDLQ,QRUGHUWKHVHDUH
8 8

1 1 1 1 1 1 1






1
3 5 6 8 9 20 72

+RZHYHUZHFDQVWDUWZKHUHYHUZHOLNH,WEHJDQWRORRNOLNHWKHUHZHUHOLPLWOHVVSRVVLELOLWLHV
7KLVGHVFULEHVPXFKRIWKHÀUVWOHVVRQ:HDVNHGWKHVWXGHQWVWRLQYHVWLJDWHXQLWIUDFWLRQV
RQWKHLQWHUQHWDQGEULQJWKHLUUHVXOWVWRWKHQH[WOHVVRQ7KLVWKH\GLGZLWKHQWKXVLDVP
:KDWHPHUJHGZDVWKHDPD]LQJ5KLQG3DS\UXVRIDQFLHQW(J\SWZKLFKFRQWDLQVIDVFLQDWLQJ
XQLWIUDFWLRQFDOFXODWLRQV'HULYHGSDWWHUQVIURPWKH3DS\UXVHPHUJHGVXFKDV

2 1 1 1 1


n n 2n 3n 6n

DQGPDQ\RWKHUEHDXWLIXOSDWWHUQV)LQDOO\ZHUHDUUDQJHGWKH8QLW)UDFWLRQSULQFLSOHWR

1 1 1
 —
n n
1 n n
1

ZKLFKZHKDGDOUHDG\SURYHGDQGORRNHGDWWKHSDWWHUQZKHQn «7KLVHQDEOHG
WKHJLUOVWRVXPWKHVHULHV

1 1 1 1 1




.........
to nWHUPV
1.2 2.3 3.4 4.5 n n
1

7KDWVWXGHQWVRIWKLVDJHFRXOGZRUNWRZDUGVDQGDSSUHFLDWHWKHKDUPRQ\LQVXFKD
VXUSULVLQJUHVXOWWKHWHUPVFDQFHOOLQJRXWOHDYLQJRQO\ÀOOHGXVZLWKVDWLVIDFWLRQ+RZHYHU
ZKHQZHUDLVHGWKHSRVVLELOLW\RIWKHQXPEHURIWHUPVLQFUHDVLQJZLWKRXWOLPLWWKHJLUOVZHUH
TXLFNWRH[SODLQZKDWZRXOGKDSSHQ7KHVXPJRWFORVHUDQGFORVHUWR:HKDGVXGGHQO\
JRQHIURPVHYHQGLIIHUHQWXQLWIUDFWLRQVZKRVHVXPZDVWRDQHQGOHVVVHULHVRIWKHP
%XWZDVWKHWRWDO"

Conclusion

7KLVSDSHUKDVSUHVHQWHGDQHFGRWDOHYLGHQFHWKDWWHDFKHUVXEMHFWNQRZOHGJHSOD\VDQLPSRUW
DQWUROHLQWKHGHYHORSPHQWRIVWXGHQWV·FUHDWLYHWKLQNLQJLQPDWKHPDWLFV0DNLQJWKHPRVWRI
RSSRUWXQLWLHVZKLFKDULVHLQFODVVHVSHFLDOO\ZLWKVWXGHQWVZKRVKRZPDWKHPDWLFDOSURPLVH
LVDQLPSRUWDQWSDUWRIDWHDFKHU·VZRUN7KHHYLGHQFHRIWKHSDVWÀYH\HDUVDW3/&6LVWKDWWKLV
FDQEHIDFLOLWDWHGLQDZRUNLQJSDUWQHUVKLSZLWKDPDWKHPDWLFVHGXFDWRUDQGRUSURIHVVLRQDO
SHRSOHZKRXVHPDWKHPDWLFVHYHU\GD\LQWKHLUZRUN$FWLYLWLHVXQGHUWDNHQDQGSODQQHG
WRJHWKHUSURYLGHH[FLWLQJRSSRUWXQLWLHVWREULQJUHDOOLIHPDWKHPDWLFVLQWRVFKRROFODVVURRPV
DQGHQJDJHWHDFKHUVDQGVWXGHQWVZLWKFRQWHPSRUDU\UHVHDUFKDSSOLFDWLRQVDQGFDUHHUV
,QWKHSDUWLFXODUFDVHRIJLUOVDPXOWLGLVFLSOLQHDSSURDFKWKDWWDNHVLQWRDFFRXQWWKHLU
SDUWLFXODUOHDUQLQJSUHIHUHQFHVLVVWURQJO\DGYRFDWHGWRUHDOLVHWKHLUSRWHQWLDODQGHQFRXUDJH
WKHVWXG\RIPDWKHPDWLFVDWWKHKLJKHVWSRVVLEOHOHYHODQGDWWKHVDPHWLPHHQDEOHWKHP
WRVHHWKHEHDXW\LQKHUHQWLQLWVIRUPV

$FNQRZOHGJHPHQWV
,DPYHU\JUDWHIXOWRWKHPDWKHPDWLFVVWDIIDQGVWXGHQWVRI3/&6\GQH\ZKRKDYHPDGH
WKLVSDSHUSRVVLEOH7KHLUHQWKXVLDVPDQGORYHRIPDWKHPDWLFVZHUHWKHVWLPXOXV,QHHGHG
WRSXEOLVKWKHLUDFKLHYHPHQWV

32 amt 73(1) 2017

References
AMT. Australian Mathematics Trust. Retrieved 18 October 2016 from http://www.amt.edu.au/
Australian Maths and Science Institute (AMSI). #(//3%-!4(3AWARDWINNERS Retrieved 20 October 2016
from http://teachers.choosemaths.org.au/award-winners-2016/
Australian Maths and Science Partnership Program (AMSPP). Retrieved 18 October 2016, from http://www.
canberra.edu.au/research/faculty-research-centres/edinstitute/amspp
Boaler, J. (2016). Unlocking children’s mathematics potential: Five research results to transform mathematics
learning.2EmECTIONS3), 16–20.
Davis, P. J., & Hersh, R. (1990). 4HEMATHEMATICALEXPERIENCE London: Penguin.
Devlin, K. J. (2001). 4HEMILLENIUMPROBLEMS4HESEVENGREATESTUNSOLVEDMATHEMATICALPUZZLESOFOURTIME
New York: Basic Books.
Egley, E. (2016). What is STEAM? Retrieved 7 November 2016 from http://edu.stemjobs.com/what-is-steam/
Ernest, P. (1991). The philosophy of mathematics education. London: Falmer Press.
Harch, B. (2016). Mathematicians in schools. Retrieved 18 October 2016 from http://mathematiciansinschools.
edu.au/
Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians (MCYA). Retrieved 18 October 2016 from http://www.amt.edu.au/
mathematics/mcya/
Nelsen, R. B. (1993). 0ROOFSWITHOUTWORDS%XERCISESINVISUALTHINKING Washington, D.C.: Mathematical Association
of America.
Padula, J. (2016). Proof and rhetoric: The structure and origin of proof. !USTRALIAN3ENIOR-ATHEMATICS*OURNAL(1),
45–54. Note: Author cites examples from the law courts of ancient Greece to Abraham Lincoln’s speech in defence
of the union and Paul Keating’s Mabo speech.
Sedghi, S. (2015). 4HEWORLDTODAY'IRLSOPTOUTOFSCIENCEANDMATHSSTUDIESREPORTlNDSGIRLSOPTINGOUTOF
mathematics. Retrieved 18 October 2016 from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-06/girls-opt-out-of-
SCIENCE AND MATHS STUDIES REPORT lNDS
University of NSW School of Mathematics and Statistics. Retrieved 18 October 2016 from https://www.maths.
unsw.edu.au/highschool/school-mathematics-competition
Whitehouse, D. (2013). UNITMATHSPAPERTOOHARD"OARDOF3TUDIESMUSTREVISEIt. The Sydney Morning Herald.
Retrieved 18 October 2016 from http://www.smh.com.au/comment/2unit-maths-paper-too-hard-board-of-
studies-must-revise-it-20131105-2wzf1.html
World Mathematics Team Championship (WMTC). Retrieved 18 October 2016 from http://www.wmtc-math.
net/en/whatwmtc.html

and spearhead new approaches to

teaching maths in Australian schools
The reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry
project is seeking Champions
who will promote the teaching
of mathematics (Years F–10)
that is engaging, stimulating and
challenging for all students.
Selected Champions will undertake
a free professional learning program
(online and face-to-face) that will
provide thorough knowledge of
project resources and approaches.
Resources developed by the reSolve
project engage students in activities
that are purposeful, challenging
yet accessible, and that promote
a supportive knowledge-building
As a reSolve Champion you will
promote the use of classroom
lessons and professional learning
modules with colleagues – helping
strengthen the teaching and learning
of mathematics in your school and
beyond.
The Champions program is open to
all teachers of mathematics (F–10),
as well as other educators.
For more information, go to the
website or email
resolve@aamt.edu.au
reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry is an initiative
of, and funded by, the Australian Government
Department of Education and Training.

culture in the classroom. There is

a strong focus on the Proficiencies
of the Australian Curriculum.

To apply, go to www.aamt.edu.au/resolve

amt 73(1) 2017 33