An important approach for developing children's algebraic thinking involves introducing them to generalized arithmetic at the time they are learning arithmetic. Our aim in this study was to investigate children's attention to and expression of generality with the subtraction-compensation property, as evidence of a type of algebraic thinking known…

Subtraction can be understood by two basic models--taking away (ta) and determining the difference (dd)--and by its inverse relation to addition. Epistemological analyses and empirical examples show that the two models are not relevant only in single-digit arithmetic. As curricula should be developed in a longitudinal perspective on mathematics…

In this study, we examined special education students' use of indirect addition (subtraction by adding on) for solving two-digit subtraction problems. Fifty-six students (8- to 12-year-olds), with a mathematical level of end grade 2, participated in the study. They were given a computer-based test on subtraction with different types of problems.…

The paragraph unit that constitutes an addition or subtraction word problem text is discussed and the logical conditions such problems must fulfill are formulated. An attempt is then made to formulate the semantic conditions which will define well-formed addition and subtraction texts. (MN)