Growth in the understanding of infinite numerical series: a glance through the Pirie and Kieren theory

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the growth of mathematical understanding in university students engaged in mathematics classroom tasks regarding the concept of numerical series. Starting from the Image-Making Pirie and Kieren theory layer, students organize a mathematical concept linking different mathematical elements. In this process, there are important agents that are involved during the interactions to advance in this construction through the mechanism of folding back between different layers.

Keywords:

• Pirie and Kieren theory
• folding back
• understanding
• series convergence