Question

How might the development of formal operational thinking impact the development of mathematical understanding? Cite examples. (Chapter 9)

Answer 1

Formal operational thinking is a stage that begins at the age of around 12 and would last until the person would be in adulthood. This is the time when the person gains the ability to learn and understand abstract concepts and would gain knowledge about skills in the form of deductive reasoning, logical thought and systematic planning.

This is important in learning mathematics since in mathematics, deductive learning of thinking of concepts which are hypothetical and hypothetical situations is required. The concept of deductive logic is such that a person would use general principles in order to come to a particular conclusion. Hence, formal operational stage is important for developing maths logic. For example, Pythagoras theorem is a general principle or theorem, which will be used to solve particular problems. Or the general rules of geometry, such as the congruency rules, would be applied to the particular problems of mathematics.