Abstract
This study is based on Freudenthal’s mathmatising process and the didactical phenomenology of linear function concept, I have described and examined the process in which students represent the constant rate of change into tables, graphs and equations and, in this way, how they construct mental objects and essence of the linear function concept. The students used the proportionality as composite units, when they represented the phenomenon with constant rate of change into tables. When representing in graphs, all but one student represented it into a line. There were differences among the students in the level they were using the given conditions, co-variation perspective, and corresponding rules when formulating equations. The students compared the relationship between two variables in a multiplicative way, and under the guidance of teachers they reached to the understanding that its relationship becomes a constant. Moreover, they could construct mental objects of a constant rate of change, understanding the situation where the relationship between time difference and distance difference becomes one value, namely speed. The students had difficulties in connecting the rate of change with the inclination of a line. The students constructed the essence (concept) of linear functions, after building and organizing the image that the rate of change is constant, the graph is linear, and the equation is formulated as y=ax+b (a: inclination, b: intercept).
Figures & Tables
Figure 1.Freudenthal’s process of mathematisation in concepts.