Game Building with Complex-Valued Functions

Abstract

In this paper, we describe how we integrated complex analysis into the second semester of a geometry course designed for preservice secondary mathematics teachers. As part of this inquiry-based course, the preservice teachers incorporated their geometric understanding of the arithmetic of complex numbers and complex-valued functions to create a game using Geometer’s Sketchpad. We detail a game created by a pair of preservice teachers that exemplifies their creativity and knowledge of complex-valued functions. Given inquiry-based courses have inherent challenges we also present projects that were not as exemplary.