The concept of limit according to Godfrey Harold Hardy (1908) and Elon Lages Lima (1976)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/1981-1322.2024.e99577

Keywords:

History of Mathematics, Differential Calculus, David Tall, Teaching Mathematics

Abstract

This investigation, inserted in the field of History of Mathematics Education, aims to answer the following investigative question: how did Hardy and Lima approach the concept of limit in their respective books: A course of pure mathematics, from 1908, and Course of Analysis, from 1967? The research is descriptive and analytical in nature, revealing what each author presented about the concept of limit and identifying the didactic approach of both.  In light of Tall's theory of the three worlds (2013), I analyzed each author's approach, trying to identify which conceptual world each one fits into: embodied (intuitive) world; symbolic; formalized, or some mixture of them. I found that Hardy's approach is a mix between the embodied and symbolic-formalized world, while Lima is inserted in the formalized world.

Author Biography

Circe Mary Silva da Silva Dynnikov, Federal University of Pelotas

Doutora em Pedagogia pela Universidade de Bielefeld, Alemanha, é professora aposentada do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. Atualmente, professora permanente do Programa de Mestrado em Educação Matematica da Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Foi pesquisadora Visitante do Instituto Max-Planck de História da Ciência, Berlin. Investiga em Educação Matemática, História e Diversidade Cultural. Integra o GHEMAT/BR

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Published

2024-11-08

Issue

Vol. 19 (2024)

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2024 Circe Mary Silva da Silva Dynnikov

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