ALPHA-CONTRACTIONS AND ATTRACTORS FOR DISSIPATIVE SEMILINEAR HYPERBOLIC-EQUATIONS AND SYSTEMS

In this paper we discuss the existence of compact attractor for the abstract semilinear evolution equation u = Au + f (t, u); the results are applied to damped partial differential equations of hyperbolic type. Our approach is a combination of Liapunov method with the theory of alpha-contractions.

As diferentes “personalidades” do número racional trabalhadas através da resolução de problemas

We address the different "personalities" of the rational number and the concept of proportionality, analyzing the possibilities for using the Mathematics Teaching and Learning through Problem-solving Method. This method is based on the principle that knowledge can be constructed through the use of problems that generate new concepts and new contents. The different meanings of rational number - rational point, quotient, fraction, ratio, and operator - are constructs that depend on mathematical theories in which they are imbedded and the situations that evoke them in problem-solving. Some data will be presented from continuing education courses for teachers, aiming to contribute to understanding regarding the different "personalities" of the rational number. In general, these "personalities" are not easily identified by teachers and students, which is the reason for the many difficulties encountered during problem-solving involving rational numbers. One of these "personalities", the ratio, provides the basis for the concept of proportionality, which is relevant because it is a unifying idea in mathematics.

Características dos Problemas que os Alunos Constroem a partir do Enunciado de uma Questão Aberta de Matemática

The present paper shows characteristics of problems that students in the 4(th), 8(th), and 12(th) grades built in response to the enunciation of an open-ended question, taken from their written work in the common question of AVA-2002 (Parana State Large-Scale Assessment-2002). These problems are characterized, in part, by a linear resolution structure constituted based on students' interpretation of individual bits of information contained in the enunciation, one by one, without establishing relations between them; and partly by a non-linear resolution structure constituted based on relations established among the bits of information in the enunciation. Analysis of students' written work is one alternative for teachers to know students' mathematical activity, as well as their particular ways of interpretating enunciations.

O intuitivo e o lógico no conhecimento matemático: análise de uma proposta pedagógica em relação a abordagens filosóficas atuais e ao contexto educacional da matemática

In this paper, we consider Meneghetti & Bicudo's proposal (2003) regarding the constitution of mathematical knowledge and analyze it with respect to the following two focuses: in relation to conceptions of mathematical knowledge following the fundamentalist crisis in mathematics; and in the educational context of mathematics. The investigation of the first focus is done analyzing new claims in mathematical philosophy. The investigation of the second focus is done firstly via a theoretical reflection followed by an examination of the implementation of the proposal in the process of development of didactic materials for teaching and learning Mathematics. Finally, we present the main results of the application of one of those materials.

Análise de textos didáticos de Matemática: um mapeamento e uma proposta metodológica fundada numa perspectiva hermenêutica

This article discusses some methodological possibilities for analyzing textbooks in Mathematics Education. Its starting point was a review - which allowed us to build a general map - of the production developed by consolidated Research Groups that deal with this theme in Brazil. This map allowed us to propose a complementary/alternative guide to analyse textbooks according to a hermeneutical approach.

O modelo de Romberg e o percurso metodológico de uma pesquisa qualitativa em educação de uma pesquisa qualitativa em educação

The objective of this study is to present the trajectory of a research project (ALLEVATO, 2005) whose phenomenon of interest is the teaching of mathematics using problem solving with computers. The text is an attempt to portray this trajectory, from the point of view of the methodological route followed by the researcher, which was based on two main axes: the guidance of the educator Thomas A. Romberg (1992), and the guidelines provided by the foundations of qualitative research. The study was developed during a doctoral course offered by the Graduate Program in Mathematics Education at the State University of São Paulo (UNESP), Rio Claro campus.

Análise Narrativa em Trabalhos de História da Educação Matemática: algumas considerações

This paper presents some reflections on the use of narrative analysis as a possible approach to study the History of (Mathematics) Education, mainly to interpret historical situations and biographical data. Its perspective is linked to Walter Benjamin's ideas about the figure of the narrator and how the dialogue between narrator and historian can be seen. Following the perspective of another author, Benedito Nunes, we try to establish relations among narratives, fiction and historiography, also highlighting the ideas of Jorge Larrosa regarding the transmission of experiences. Finally, our focus is turned to Antonio Bolivar and his alternative statements about why and how analysis of investigations, in which narratives are the main source of data, can be done.

História na Educação Matemática – um estudo sobre trabalhos publicados no Brasil nos últimos cinco anos

In this paper we report a study on research in the field of History in Mathematics Education conducted in Brazil in the last five years. We evaluate studies that are theoretical or report experiences on the support found in history that can contribute to the situations of teaching and learning of mathematics, based on the Proceedings of Seminarios Nacionais de Historia da Matematica and Encontros Luso-Brasileiros de Historia da Matematica. Examining the interests, directions and focus of research in the field, we found that the vast majority of studies address specific issues of History of Mathematics, and the number of studies on History in Mathematics Education is still very low. We note that, in the last five years, the arguments in favor of the teaching potential of the History of Mathematics, which is very present in the speech of teachers and managers of public education, has not yet been materialized in experiments or investigations to promote this link effectively.