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An experimental course in mathematical writing

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Vol: 
4
Num: 
3
Author(s)
Authors: 
Wilfrid Hodges
Abstract: 
This year I taught a new second-year undergraduate course whose main aim was to help the students to write and read mathematics intelligently. I made two design decisions at the outset. First, the course should be aimed at middle-level students; it shouldn’t rely on the students being high fliers. Second, there should be some substantial mathematics in the course, otherwise it could hardly teach mathematical writing…
Filename: 
43mathematical_writing.pdf
Keywords: 
mathematical writing, puzzle questions, logic, Blaise Pascal, De L^Espirit Geometrique, defining, proving, describing mathematical objects, Feynman, Bertrand Russell, Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy, Diophantus, bad arguments, discussion sessions, mathematical reasoning