DEVELOPMENTAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE EQUALS SIGN AND ITS EFFECTON SUCCESS IN ALGEBRA

Author (s) : A.KAVITHA and R.SATHYA SHANTHI

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Abstract :
In this paper, the equals symbol is viewed as a directive to carry out a procedure, instead of a symbol expressing mathematical equivalence. This was to develop and to pilot a questionnaire to measure students’ understandings of relational equivalence as implied by their interpretations and use of the equals symbol. The results of this questionnaire were compared with student testing data with the goal of determining a correlation between understanding of symbolic equivalence and success in a typical algebra course. Another significant conclusion found was that quality instructional practices contribute to students performing at a seemingly higher level, with respect to symbolic relational equivalence, than those shown in previous studies.

Keywords : Algebra, mathematical equivalence

Conference Date : 30/08/2019

Pages : 163

Paper ID : 19161