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Process and object interpretations of vector magnitude mediated by use of the graphics calculator

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Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the development of one student’s understanding of vector magnitude and how her problem solving was mediated by her use of the absolute value graphics calculator function (ABS). The context is a Year 11 class studying Geometry and Trigonometry. The analysis is cast in terms of process views of vector magnitude where magnitude is treated as resulting from mathematical operations on other concepts, and object views where magnitude is treated as a mathematical entity in its own right.

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Forster, P. Process and object interpretations of vector magnitude mediated by use of the graphics calculator. Math Ed Res J 12, 269–285 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03217089

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