The Rainbow of Mathematics—Teaching the Complete Spectrum and the Role Mathematics Competitions Can Play

Abstract

Although it is clear to all of us with some stake in the teaching of mathematics, that it is an important, valuable and fascinating pursuit, there does not seem to be any real agreement concerning where its central value lies with respect to what is taught in school. The core values of the subject present themselves differently to teachers, math education researchers, professional mathematicians and engineers, and this fact makes it difficult to speak with a common vocabulary about what should be taught and how it should be taught. In this paper, a model for the various aspects of mathematics, ranging from “recreational” through “school” to “applied” is presented, and the role of mathematics competitions in the continuum of this model is discussed. The various points raised in this model are then illustrated by a concrete example.