Search results for "Pre-algebra"
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The History of Algebra in Mathematics Education
2006
In this chapter, we analyse key issues in algebra history from which some lessons can be extracted for the future of the teaching and learning of algebra. A comparative analysis of two types of pre-Vietan languages (before 16th century), and of the corresponding methods to solve problems, leads to conjecture the presence of didactic obstacles of an epistemological origin in the transition from arithmetic to algebraic thinking. This illustrates the value of historic and critical analysis for basic research design in mathematics education. Analysing the interrelationship between different evolution stages of the sign system of symbolic algebra and vernacular language supports the inference th…
The Cognitive Demand of a Gifted Student’s Answers to Geometric Pattern Problems
2018
Mathematically gifted students require specific teaching methodologies to foster their interest in mathematics and their engagement in solving problems. Geometric pattern problems are an interesting context in which to introduce algebra to those students. We present the case of a nine-year-old student engaged in a teaching unit based on geometric pattern problems that was aimed at helping him start learning algebra, equations, and algebra word problems. To analyze and assess the cognitive effort the student made to solve the problems, we used a particularization to this context of the cognitive demand model. We analyzed answers typical of the different kinds of problems posed throughout the…