MATH taxonomy

About

The MATH taxonomy by Smith, et. al. (1996) defines the difficulty level of mathematics assignments. This taxonomy has three levels: A (Reproduction); B (Connection) and C (Reasoning). These levels are further broken down into different sub levels as shown in Table.

Table: MATH Taxonomy by Smith, et. al., (1996).

Level A: Reproduction	Level B: Connection	Level C: Reasoning
A1: Factual knowledge A2: Comprehension A3: Routine use of       procedures	B1: Information B2: Application in new       situations	C1: Justifying and       interpreting C2: Implications,       conjectures and       comparisons C3: Evaluation

• Level A includes remembering facts, formulas and recognize situations and routinely calculations and applying given algorithms.

• Level B continues with the classification of a mathematical object, interpreting a situation or response and the ability to design a plan or select characteristics to work out an assignment.

• Level C involves reasoning, justify, disprove, argue and prove, expressing presumptions and implications, compare situations, recognize or discover patterns, and constructing of an example or an extension of a concept. 

Literature

Smith, G., Wood, L., Coupland, M., Stephenson, B., Crawford, K., Ball, G. (1996): Constructing mathematical examinations to assess a range of knowledge and skills, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 27:1, 65-77.

Smith, G., Wood, L. (2000) Assessment of learning in university mathematics, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 31 (1), 125-132.

Original author: Natasa Brouwer

---

Creative Commons 3.0 BY SA applies to all content on Starfish.
Starfish-education support for the publishing on Starfish-education.eu does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors and Starfish-education cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Starfish-education cannot be held responsible for the content published by authors that is not conform with Creative Commons 3.0 BY SA.