From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations

Judith Louise Falle

From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations

Judith Louise Falle

School of Education

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

Students learning the art of solving equations using formal algebraic procedures are usually presented with examples that require the application of simple arithmetic knowledge. This paper suggests that such contexts do not always encourage students to use arithmetic procedures that are algebraically useful or to see the need for formal algebraic techniques. Excerpts from interviews with students reveal their thinking and some of the strategies they use. Some implications for teaching are suggested. "Translating the jostle and clamour around us into equations is half the art; solving them the other." (Kaplan, R., 1999. The Nothing That Is: a natural history of zero.)

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia
Editors	Philip Clarkson, Ann Downton, Donna Gronn, Marj Horne, Andrea McDonough, Robyn Pierce, Anne Roche
Place of Publication	Sydney, Australia
Publisher	Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA)
Pages	337-344
Volume	1
ISBN (Print)	1920846093
Publication status	Published - 2005
Event	MERGA 28: 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia - Melbourne, Australia Duration: 7 Jul 2005 → 9 Jul 2005

Conference

Conference	MERGA 28: 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia
City	Melbourne, Australia
Period	7/07/05 → 9/07/05

Keywords

Education Assessment and Evaluation

Access to Document

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/11372

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Falle, J. L. (2005). From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations. In P. Clarkson, A. Downton, D. Gronn, M. Horne, A. McDonough, R. Pierce, & A. Roche (Eds.), Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (Vol. 1, pp. 337-344). Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA). https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/11372

Falle, Judith Louise. / From Arithmetic to Algebra : Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations. Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. editor / Philip Clarkson ; Ann Downton ; Donna Gronn ; Marj Horne ; Andrea McDonough ; Robyn Pierce ; Anne Roche. Vol. 1 Sydney, Australia : Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA), 2005. pp. 337-344

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title = "From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations",

abstract = "Students learning the art of solving equations using formal algebraic procedures are usually presented with examples that require the application of simple arithmetic knowledge. This paper suggests that such contexts do not always encourage students to use arithmetic procedures that are algebraically useful or to see the need for formal algebraic techniques. Excerpts from interviews with students reveal their thinking and some of the strategies they use. Some implications for teaching are suggested. {"}Translating the jostle and clamour around us into equations is half the art; solving them the other.{"} (Kaplan, R., 1999. The Nothing That Is: a natural history of zero.)",

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author = "Falle, \{Judith Louise\}",

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booktitle = "Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia",

publisher = "Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA)",

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Falle, JL 2005, From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations. in P Clarkson, A Downton, D Gronn, M Horne, A McDonough, R Pierce & A Roche (eds), Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. vol. 1, Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA), Sydney, Australia, pp. 337-344, MERGA 28: 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Melbourne, Australia, 7/07/05. <https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/11372>

From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations. / Falle, Judith Louise.
Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. ed. / Philip Clarkson; Ann Downton; Donna Gronn; Marj Horne; Andrea McDonough; Robyn Pierce; Anne Roche. Vol. 1 Sydney, Australia: Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA), 2005. p. 337-344.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AB - Students learning the art of solving equations using formal algebraic procedures are usually presented with examples that require the application of simple arithmetic knowledge. This paper suggests that such contexts do not always encourage students to use arithmetic procedures that are algebraically useful or to see the need for formal algebraic techniques. Excerpts from interviews with students reveal their thinking and some of the strategies they use. Some implications for teaching are suggested. "Translating the jostle and clamour around us into equations is half the art; solving them the other." (Kaplan, R., 1999. The Nothing That Is: a natural history of zero.)

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Falle JL. From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations. In Clarkson P, Downton A, Gronn D, Horne M, McDonough A, Pierce R, Roche A, editors, Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. Vol. 1. Sydney, Australia: Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA). 2005. p. 337-344

From Arithmetic to Algebra: Novice Students' Strategies for Solving Equations

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