The framework is applied to two sets of empirical data. In the first study, young children’s
exercising of competencies in handling whole numbers is analysed. The results show
that the analytical tools are able to explain this mathematical practice from several angles:
in relation to a specific concept, in a certain activity and how different representations may
pervade procedures and interaction. The second study describes university students’ exercising
of competencies in a proving activity. The findings reveal that, while reasoning and
the analytic aspect are significant in proving, the other competencies and the productive
aspect play important roles as well. Combined, the two studies show that the framework
have explanatory power for various mathematical practices. In light of this framework, this
thesis exercises both aspects of mathematical competence: the productive aspect in representation
theory and the analytic aspect in the development of the framework.