IanJones_PME33.pdf (467.48 kB)
Download fileArithmetic equality statements: numerical balance and notational substitution
conference contribution
posted on 2011-07-13, 13:25 authored by Ian JonesNumerous studies have investigated the benefits of teaching young children that the
equals sign means “is the same as” and presenting a variety of statement forms such
as a+b=b+a and c=a+b. However, an important and overlooked aspect of
equivalence relations is that of replacing one term with another, which implies a
“can be substituted for” meaning of the equals sign. I report a trial with a pair of
primary pupils working on a computer-based task that requires viewing equality
statements in terms of both numerical balance and notational substitution. I present
screenshots and transcript excerpts to illustrate how they articulated and coordinated
balance and substitution in order to achieve the task goals.
History
School
- Science
Department
- Mathematics Education Centre