Two-Column Proofs that Two-Column Proofs are Terrible

Engagement, Geometry 1 Minute

I’m not entirely sure that I completely agree with the author of this post (http://mathwithbaddrawings.com/2013/10/16/two-column-proofs-that-two-column-proofs-are-terrible/), but he certainly provides food for thought and so I’m happy to link to it. Among the most provocative quotes from this post:

In a good proof, each individual step is obvious, but the conclusion is surprising.  In many two-column proofs—especially those taught earliest in a geometry course—each individual step is mystifying, while the conclusion is obvious.

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Published by John Quintanilla

I'm a Professor of Mathematics and a University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of North Texas. For eight years, I was co-director of Teach North Texas, UNT's program for preparing secondary teachers of mathematics and science.

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