The use of digital technology in finding multiple paths to solve and extend an equilateral triangle task

Abstract

Mathematical tasks are crucial elements for teachers to orient, foster and assess students’ processes to comprehend and develop mathematical knowledge. During the process of working and solving a task, searching for or discussing multiple solution paths becomes a powerful strategy for students to engage in mathematical thinking. A simple task that involves the construction of an equilateral triangle is used to present and discuss multiple solution approaches that rely on a variety of concepts and ways of reasoning. To this end, the use of a Dynamic Geometry System (GeoGebra) became instrumental in constructing and exploring dynamic models of the task. These model explorations provided a means to generate novel mathematical results.

Keywords:

• problem solving
• multiple solutions
• digital technology

Subject classification codes:

• 97C70
• 97D50
• 97G40
• 97U70

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank the support received from Project Conacyt 168543 during the development of this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Project Conacyt 168543.