Towards a characterization of explanations in mathematics textbooks

This work is part of a broader study which aims to examine the relation between explanation and proof in teachers’ practices and the way in which this relation emerges from the texts in the mathematics schoolbooks. Our hypothesis is that explanation and proof share some of their characterizing parameters and this makes possible an overlapping of meaning which favors a switch of roles during teaching/learning activities. First results from textbooks analysis are presented pointing out remarkable features of explanation arisen to date.