Illustration of mathematical imagery

Abstract

Mathematics that is about logical examination and quantitative calculations is a science, which is based on abstractions. While doing abstraction, one expresses those, which are intangible and invisible, via images. An image, imagination and dream are the images appearing in the mind. Also, correlation between images is called imagery. Indeed, mathematics is an image-based work. For some, mathematics is an enjoyable work, and for others it is difficult and boring. This study was done with the aim of finding out what the secondary school students' mathematical imagery is. For this reason, a total of 46 volunteer students at secondary school were asked to illustrate mathematical imageries. These illustrations were analyzed regarding successful and unsuccessful students, the most used images were determined and three students were interviewed on the illustrations, which they drew. As a result of this study, they mostly used the images about numbers, operations and geometric figures in their illustrations.