Study of asymptotes in upper secondary mathematics education: A praxeological analysis of textbooks in Croatia

Ana Katalenić; Aleksandra Čižmešija; Željka Milin Šipuš

doi:10.29333/iejme/18924

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Ana Katalenić ¹ ^* , Aleksandra Čižmešija ² , Željka Milin Šipuš ²

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¹ Faculty of Education, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, CROATIA² Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, CROATIA^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

The notion of the asymptote is part of the upper secondary and university mathematics curriculum. Acknowledging the existing literature on student issues with asymptotes and the influential role of textbooks in mathematics education, we examined the knowledge of asymptotes provided in upper secondary mathematics textbooks in Croatia. Within the framework of the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic, we constructed a reference model for the study of asymptotes and conducted a systematic and detailed textbook analysis, focusing on praxeological organisation, ostensive manifestations, and the process of study. The analysis revealed that textbooks fail to connect knowledge and representations of asymptotes across different contexts, to organise the process of study in a mathematically and pedagogically coherent manner, and to address recognised student issues related to asymptotes. This study contributes to the research on asymptotes and textbook analysis, and proposes a reference model based on exploration using different representations, analogous work, and the construction of a generalised discourse.

Keywords

Anthropological Theory of the Didactic
asymptote
praxeology
process of study
textbook analysis
upper secondary mathematics education

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INT ELECT J MATH ED, Volume 21, Issue 3, August 2026, Article No: em0890

https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18924

Publication date: 05 Jul 2026

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How to cite this article

APA

Katalenić, A., Čižmešija, A., & Milin Šipuš, Ž. (2026). Study of asymptotes in upper secondary mathematics education: A praxeological analysis of textbooks in Croatia. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 21(3), em0890. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18924

Vancouver

Katalenić A, Čižmešija A, Milin Šipuš Ž. Study of asymptotes in upper secondary mathematics education: A praxeological analysis of textbooks in Croatia. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2026;21(3):em0890. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18924

AMA

Katalenić A, Čižmešija A, Milin Šipuš Ž. Study of asymptotes in upper secondary mathematics education: A praxeological analysis of textbooks in Croatia. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2026;21(3), em0890. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18924

Chicago

Katalenić, Ana, Aleksandra Čižmešija, and Željka Milin Šipuš. "Study of asymptotes in upper secondary mathematics education: A praxeological analysis of textbooks in Croatia". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education 2026 21 no. 3 (2026): em0890. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18924

Harvard

Katalenić, A., Čižmešija, A., and Milin Šipuš, Ž. (2026). Study of asymptotes in upper secondary mathematics education: A praxeological analysis of textbooks in Croatia. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 21(3), em0890. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18924

MLA

Katalenić, Ana et al. "Study of asymptotes in upper secondary mathematics education: A praxeological analysis of textbooks in Croatia". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, vol. 21, no. 3, 2026, em0890. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18924