AN ACTIVE LEARNING UNIT ON REAL NUMBERS
July, 1970
DALE FISHER
Appendix A from “A Feasibility Study on Active Learning With Real Numbers” an M.Ed. thesis completed by Dale Fisher in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Reprinted with permission of the author by the Mathematics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association March, 1971
93 – 94
TEACHERS’ INTRODUCTION – THE REAL NUMBER SYSTEM
No attempt is made to present a rigorous development of the real number system, for this is the role of college mathematics. The main purpose of these activities is to simply help the student develop a feeling for the existence of irrational numbers, the real number system and some of their applications on the basis of the mathematics he has learned thus far.
The teacher should be aware that not all students are to be expected to complete all activities. These activities will vary in difficulty and interest depending on the individual student. When a choice of activities is to be made, it is hoped the student can make an intelligent decision. If not, he should seek teacher assistance and guidance.