Middle school students (n = 144) worked with an applet specially designed to introduce the concept of function without using algebraic representations. The purpose of the study was to examine whether the applet would help students understand function as a relationship between a set of inputs and a set of outputs and to begin to develop a…

Optimization is introduced to teaching in secondary school, focussing on functions of one variable with the first derivative criterion for critical points and monotonicity of functions. The second derivative criterion is also used to determine the nature of the critical points. Similarly, in university-level teaching, algebraic work using criteria…

Simulation studies are the basic tools of quantitative methodologists used to obtain empirical solutions to statistical problems that may be impossible to derive through direct mathematical computations. The successful execution of many simulation studies relies on the accurate generation of correlated multivariate data that adhere to a particular…

Research literature about visually impaired students' approach to mathematics is still very scarce, especially in the case of algebra, even though mathematical content is becoming increasingly accessible thanks to assistive technologies. This paper presents a case study aimed at describing a blind subject's process of algebraic symbol manipulation…

This article examines the integration of financial numeracy in secondary mathematics textbooks. It addresses the gap in literature on how financial concepts are portrayed in textbooks, contributing to the establishment of financial numeracy as a field of research and practice. The study analyzed financial numeracy tasks in three published textbook…

It is agreed that algebra has an important role in physics, particularly through handling symbols. A lot of previous research has focused on how mathematics is used in physics from perspectives where mathematics is taken for granted, and not addressing potential differences of mathematics in the physics classroom and in the mathematics classroom.…

Knowing functions and functional thinking have recently moved from just knowledge for older students to incorporating younger students, and functional thinking has been identified as one of the core competencies for algebra. Although it is significant for mathematical understanding, there is no unified view of functional thinking and how different…

In this study, we focus on a specific visual representation that is used across several mathematics and science content areas: the 'partitioned square' (PS). Previous research has examined PSs in single content areas in isolation, such as for mathematics polynomials or biology random mating, where the PS was generally in the service of other…

This paper reports on a novel corequisite design and implementation for College Algebra at Florida International University. The corequisite course uses online, just-in-time, prerequisite assignments delivered on an open-educational platform. Students get help from near-peer learning assistants inside a math emporium environment. The course…

When justifying a mathematical statement, textbooks often interweave several instances of justification, creating, what we term, "paths of justification." This study aims to characterize the paths of justification of mathematical statements that are offered in eight 7th grade Israeli mathematics textbooks. The study attended to context…

In this note we demonstrate two instances where matrix multiplication can be easily verified. In the first setting, the matrix product appears as matrix element concatenation, and in the second, the product coincides with matrix addition. General proofs for some results are provided with a more complete description for 2×2 matrices. Suggested for…

Teaching "out-of-field" is a present obstacle in mathematics education in many countries, and developing professional learning programs aimed at upskilling non-specialist teachers is urgent. A teacher study group was established wherein two non-specialist teachers of mathematics (Years 7-10; aged 12-16) engaged with algebra to develop a…

First-year engineering students show difficulties in connecting basic vector algebra with manipulations using the graphical representation. Experiencing vectors in real applications can improve the process of learning vectors. Thus, we introduce a unique approach for using digital technologies, namely augmented reality. We utilized a video…

Linear algebra is gaining increased attention due to its applications in many modern high-tech industries, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. Coordinate systems underlie many concepts in linear algebra and promote students' spatial thinking of key concepts by imposing a visual aspect to courses that may otherwise be…

Learning standards such as the "Common Core State Standards for Mathematics" [CCSSM] (NGA Center & CCSSO, 2010) advocate that we develop students' algebraic thinking "beginning in kindergarten." Such a tall order requires innovative approaches that re-imagine what teaching and learning mathematics means for the elementary…