Acta Structuralica

international journal for structuralist research

Series | Book | Chapter

196450

Using analogical representations for mathematical concept formation

Alison PeaseSimon ColtonRamin RamezaniAlan SmaillMarkus Guhe

pp. 301-314

Abstract

We argue that visual, analogical representations of mathematical concepts can be used by automated theory formation systems to develop further concepts and conjectures in mathematics. We consider the role of visual reasoning in human development of mathematics, and consider some aspects of the relationship between mathematics and the visual, including artists using mathematics as inspiration for their art (which may then feed back into mathematical development), the idea of using visual beauty to evaluate mathematics, mathematics which is visually pleasing, and ways of using the visual to develop mathematical concepts. We motivate an analogical representation of number types with examples of "visual" concepts and conjectures, and present an automated case study in which we enable an automated theory formation program to read this type of visual, analogical representation.

Publication details

Published in:

Magnani Lorenzo, Carnielli Walter, Pizzi Claudio (2010) Model-based reasoning in science and technology: abduction, logic, and computational discovery. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 301-314

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-15223-8_17

Full citation:

Pease Alison, Colton Simon, Ramezani Ramin, Smaill Alan, Guhe Markus (2010) „Using analogical representations for mathematical concept formation“, In: L. Magnani, W. Carnielli & C. Pizzi (eds.), Model-based reasoning in science and technology, Dordrecht, Springer, 301–314.