RUME 28
2026
Alexandria, Virginia
Students’ Perspectives of Proof Community Values and Goals
Page: 406
Undergraduate students’ views on proof provide insight into how they engage with mathematical practices, yet little is known about the values and goals they associate with proof. We surveyed 32 students at two Hispanic-Serving Institutions and identified themes related to values and goals of the proof community across three domains: the proof itself, the utility of proof, and the prover. Students’ perspectives often echoed mathematicians’ values such as rigor and explanatory power, but also emphasized less-documented dimensions, including creativity, problem solving, and educational aims. By highlighting both alignment and extension of disciplinary norms, these findings suggest ways to better support students’ participation in proof-based mathematics.