Procedural flexibility is an important skill for algebra. Although prior work has focused on measuring students' procedural flexibility using arithmetic problems, word problems may also capture students' flexibility because of their open-ended nature. To date, no published study has examined the use of word problems as another measure of…

We analyzed the solution pathways and errors found in the written responses of 469 prospective teachers solving an equation containing fractions. The majority (332, or 70%) used an algebraic method; 141 of the 332 (42%) were correct, and 22% of the algebraic methods were abandoned before a solution was obtained. We identified the steps in the…

Whole Number Arithmetic (WNA) appears as the very first topic in school mathematics and establishes the foundation for later mathematical content. Without solid mastery of WNA, students may experience difficulties in learning fractions, ratio and proportion, and algebra. The challenge of students' learning and mastery of fractions, decimals, ratio…

Online educational technologies offer opportunities for providing individualized feedback and detailed profiles of students' skills. Yet many technologies for mathematics education assess students based only on the correctness of either their final answers or responses to individual steps. In contrast, examining the choices students make for how…

This study examined the effects of two teaching treatments [multiple-representation instruction (MR) and traditional algorithmic instruction (TA)] on students' performance on mathematics problems that integrated fractions, decimals, and percent. Using a 2 × 2 crossover design, the effect of the teaching treatments and their sequences on student…

The traditional technique for converting repeating decimals to common fractions can be found in nearly every algebra textbook that has been published, as well as in many precalculus texts. However, students generally encounter repeating decimal numerals earlier than high school when they study rational numbers in prealgebra classes. Therefore, how…

It is well documented in literature that rational number is an important area of understanding in mathematics. Therefore, it follows that teachers and students need to have an understanding of rational number and related concepts such as fraction multiplication and division. This practitioner reference paper examines models that are important to…

This review protocol guides the review of research that informs the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) "Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary and Middle School Grades" practice guide. The mathematics intervention practice guide will be an update of the original practice guide, "Assisting Students…

Numeracy needs of nursing students are often underestimated by students when they enter university. Even when students are aware of the mathematics required, students underestimate or overestimate the skills they have. Research has highlighted the mathematics and numeracy skills required of nurses and nursing students and numerous studies have…

The concept of exponents has been shown to be problematic for students, especially when expanding it from the domain of positive whole numbers to that of exponents that are negative and later rational. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the concept of exponentiation as a continuous operation and examines the deficiencies of existing…

Mathematics, in general, and algebra courses, in particular, have been categorized as "gatekeepers" for higher education, better jobs, and even citizenship. For many low-income and working adults, community college is the institution where they choose to develop their mathematics understanding so they can pursue their dreams.…

Students use a spinner device to generate numbers, which they then insert into given open sentences and search for true statements. (MM)

Discusses the characteristics of repeating decimals to facilitate the translation of repeating decimals to fractions. Describes the algebraic and arithmetic methods for converting the repeating decimal. Illustrates arithmetic operations for n-digit integer. Eight references are listed. (YP)

This course is designed to review the arithmetic skills used by many Marines in the daily pursuance of their duties. It consists of six study units: (1) number systems and operations; (2) fractions and percents; (3) introduction to algebra; (4) units of measurement (considering both the metric and United States systems); (5) geometric forms; and…