• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.229-246
• /
• 2002

In this paper, we start with the question "what is algebraic thinking\ulcorner". The problem is that the algebraic thinking is not exactly defined. We consider algebraic thinking from the various perspectives. But in the discussion relating to the definition of algebraic thinking, we verify that there is the algebraic notations in the core of algebraic thinking. So we device algebraic notations into the six categories, and investigate these examples from the school mathematics. In order to investigate this relation of algebraic thinking and algebraic notations, we present 'the algebraic thinking process analysis model' from Frege' idea. In this model, there are three components of algebraic notations which interplays; sense, expression, denotapion. Thus many difficulties of algebraic thinking can be explained by this model. We suppose that the difficulty in the algebraic thinking may be caused by the discord of these three components. And through the transformation of conceptual frame, we can explain the dynamics of algebraic thinking. Also, we present examples which show these difficulties and dynamics of algebraic thinking. As a result of these analysis, we conclude that algebraic thinking can be explained through the semiotic aspects of algebraic notations.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.453-475
• /
• 2007

School algebra starts with introducing algebraic expressions which have been one of the cognitive obstacles to the students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. In the recent studies on the teaching school algebra, algebraic thinking is getting much more attention together with algebraic expressions. In this paper, we examined the processes of the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and ways for teaching early algebra through algebraic thinking factors. Issues about algebraic thinking have continued since 1980's. But the theoretic foundations for algebraic thinking have not been founded in the previous studies. In this paper, we analyzed the algebraic thinking in school algebra from historico-genetic, epistemological, and symbolic-linguistic points of view, and identified algebraic thinking factors, i.e. the principle of permanence of formal laws, the concept of variable, quantitative reasoning, algebraic interpretation - constructing algebraic expressions, trans formational reasoning - changing algebraic expressions, operational senses - operating algebraic expressions, substitution, etc. We also identified these algebraic thinking factors through analyzing mathematics textbooks of elementary and middle school, and showed the middle school students' low achievement relating to these factors through the algebraic thinking ability test. Based upon these analyses, we argued that the readiness for algebra learning should be made through the processes including algebraic thinking factors in the elementary school and that the transfer from arithmetic to algebra should be accomplished naturally through the pre-algebra course. And we searched for alternative ways to improve algebra curriculums, emphasizing algebraic thinking factors. In summary, we identified the problems of school algebra relating to the transfer from arithmetic to algebra with the problem of teaching algebraic thinking and analyzed the algebraic thinking factors of school algebra, and searched for alternative ways for improving the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and the teaching of early algebra.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.223-247
• /
• 2016

Given the importance of developing algebraic thinking from early grades, this study investigated an overall performance and main characteristics of algebraic thinking from a total of 197 third grade students. The national elementary mathematics curriculum in Korea does not emphasize directly essential elements of algebraic thinking but indicates indirectly some of them. This study compared our students' performance related to algebraic thinking with results of Blanton et al. (2015) which reported considerable progress of algebraic thinking by emphasizing it through a regular curriculum. The results of this study showed that Korean students solved many items correctly as compatible to Blanton et al. (2015). However, our students tended to use 'computational' strategies rather than 'structural' ones in the process of solving items related to equation. When it comes to making algebraic expressions, they tended to assign a particular value to the unknown quantity followed by the equal sign. This paper is expected to explore the algebraic thinking by elementary school students and to provide implications of how to promote students' algebraic thinking.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.49-68
• /
• 2002

One of the characteristics of modem mathematics is to use algebra in every fields of mathematics. But we don't have the exact definition of algebra, and we can't clearly define algebraic thinking. In order to solve this problem, this paper investigate the history of algebra. First, we describe some of the features of proportional Babylonian thinking by analysing some problems. In chapter 4, we consider Greek's analytical method and proportional theory. And in chapter 5, we deal with Diophantus' algebraic method by giving an overview of Arithmetica. Finally we investigate Viete's thinking of algebra through his ‘the analytical art’. By investigating these history of algebra, we reach the following conclusions. 1. The origin of algebra comes from problem solving(various equations). 2. The origin of algebraic thinking is the proportional thinking and the analytical thinking. 3. The thing that plays an important role in transition from arithmetical thinking to algebraic thinking is Babylonian ‘the false value’ idea and Diophantus’ ‘arithmos’ concept.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.457-472
• /
• 2002

In this paper, we deal with the algebraic thinking from the perspective of ‘process’ and ‘object’ aspects. Generally, mathematical concepts have come from the concrete process. We consider the origin of algebra as the arithmetic calculations. Also, the concept of school arithmetic is beginning from actions or procedures. However, in order to develop the alge- braic thinking and to apply this thinking, we have to see the history of algebraic thinking, and find this duality. Next we investigate various researches relating to the ‘process-object duality’. Theses studies suppose that the concept formation and thinking process should be stared from the process-object duality. Finally, we reinterprete many difficulties in algebra - equals sign, variables, algebraic expressions, and linear equations, the principle of permanence of form- from the perspective of the process-object duality.

• Research in Mathematical Education
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.217-232
• /
• 2012

While many studies on early algebra have been conducted, there have been only a few studies on the operation sense as the fundamental element of algebraic thinking, especially the fraction operation sense. This study explored the dimensions of fraction operation sense and then investigated students' fraction operation sense. A total of 183 of sixth graders were surveyed and 5 students who showed high operation sense were clinically interviewed in order to analyze their algebraic thinking in detail. The results showed that students had a tendency to use direct calculation or employ inappropriate operation sense rather than to use the structure of operation or the relation between operations on the basis of algebraic thinking. This study implies that explicit instruction on early algebra is necessary from the elementary school years.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.655-676
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of teaching on functional thinking, one of the algebraic thinking in sixth grade students level. For this study, we developed functional thinking based-teaching through analyzing mathematical curriculum and preceding research, which consisted of 12 classes, and we investigated the effects of teaching through quantitative and qualitative analysis. In the results of this study, functional thinking based-teaching was statistically proven to be more effective in improving algebraic reasoning skills and lower elements which is an algebraic reasoning as generalized arithmetic and functional thinking, compared to traditional textbook-centered lessons. In addition, the functional thinking based-teaching gave a positive impact on the functional thinking level. Thus functional thinking based-teaching provides guidance on the implications for teaching and learning methods and study of the functional thinking in the future, because of the significant impact on the mathematics learning in six grade students.

• East Asian mathematical journal
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.355-392
• /
• 2013

Generally school algebra is to start with introducing variables and algebraic expressions, which have major cognitive obstacles to students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. But the recent studies in the teaching school algebra argue the algebraic thinking from an early algebraic point of view. We compare the Korean elementary mathematics textbooks with Americans from this perspective. First, we discuss the history of school algebra in the school curriculum. And Second, we investigate the recent studies in relation to early algebra. We clarify the goals of this study(the importance of early algebra in the elementary school) through these discussions. Next we examine closely the number sense in the arithmetic and the symbol sense in the algebra. And we conclude that the operation sense can connect these senses within early algebra using the algebraic thinking. Finally, we compare the elementary mathematics books between Korean and American according to the components of the operation sense. In this comparative study, we identify a possibility of teaching algebraic thinking in the elementary mathematics and early algebra can be introduced to the elementary mathematics textbooks from aspects of the operation sense.

• The Mathematical Education
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.409-429
• /
• 2021

This study investigated instructional methods for fractional division emphasizing algebraic thinking with sixth graders. Specifically, instructional elements for fractional division emphasizing algebraic thinking were derived from literature reviews, and the fractional division instruction was reorganized on the basis of key elements. The instructional elements were as follows: (a) exploring the relationship between a dividend and a divisor; (b) generalizing and representing solution methods; and (c) justifying solution methods. The instruction was analyzed in terms of how the key elements were implemented in the classroom. This paper focused on the fractional division instruction with problem contexts to calculate the quantity of a dividend corresponding to the divisor 1. The students in the study could explore the relationship between the two quantities that make the divisor 1 with different problem contexts: partitive division, determination of a unit rate, and inverse of multiplication. They also could generalize, represent, and justify the solution methods of dividing the dividend by the numerator of the divisor and multiplying it by the denominator. However, some students who did not explore the relationship between the two quantities and used only the algorithm of fraction division had difficulties in generalizing, representing, and justifying the solution methods. This study would provide detailed and substantive understandings in implementing the fractional division instruction emphasizing algebraic thinking and help promote the follow-up studies related to the instruction of fractional operations emphasizing algebraic thinking.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.211-230
• /
• 2016

The study aimed to investigate the characteristics of algebraic thinking of the mathematically gifted students and search for how to teach algebraic thinking. Research subjects in this study included 93 students who applied for a science gifted education center affiliated with a university in 2015 and previously experienced gifted education. Students' responses on an algebraic item of a creative thinking test in mathematics, which was given as screening process for admission were collected as data. A framework of algebraic thinking factors were extracted from literature review and utilized for data analysis. It was found that students showed difficulty in quantitative reasoning between two quantities and tendency to find solutions regarding equations as problem solving tools. In this process, students tended to concentrate variables on unknown place holders and to had difficulty understanding various meanings of variables. Some of students generated errors about algebraic concepts. In conclusions, it is recommended that functional thinking including such as generalizing and reasoning the relation among changing quantities is extended, procedural as well as structural aspects of algebraic expressions are emphasized, various situations to learn variables are given, and activities constructing variables on their own are strengthened for improving gifted students' learning and teaching algebra.