Text in Afrikaans / A study of the philosophical and historical foundations of infinity highlights the
problematic development of infinity. Aristotle distinguished between potential
and actual infinity, but rejected the latter. Indeed, the interpretation of actual
infinity leads to contradictions as seen in the paradoxes of Zeno. It is difficult for a
human being to understand actual infinity. Our logical schemes are adapted to
finite objects and events. Research shows that students focus primarily on infinity
as a dynamic or neverending process. Individuals may have contradictory
intuitive thoughts at different times without being aware of cognitive conflict. The
intuitive thoughts of students about both the actual (at once) infinite and potential
(successive) infinity are very complex. The problematic nature of actual infinity
and the contradictory intuitive cognition should be the starting point in the
teaching of the concept infinity. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Mathematic Education)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/1927 |
| Date | 25 August 2009 |
| Creators | Mathlener, Rinette |
| Contributors | Wessels, Dirk Cornelis Johannes |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (x, 109, xxii leaves) : ill. (some col.) |
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