The authors investigated the performance on simple multiplication and division problems of 8-year-old children longitudinally to determine the developmental trajectories of both operations. Twice a year, during 2 consecutive school years, children performed a multiplication and division verification task and a number-matching task. All effects…

The relationship between the development of reversible thought and performance in arithmetic equations among children was investigated. Subjects were 86 second grade boys and girls. Two reversibility tasks and 20 addition and subtraction equations were administered. Results indicated significant correlations between the two variables only among…

Presents a study in which participants were trained on nine single-digit multiplication problems over three sessions. Transfer of practice was tested with nine different multiplication problems in the fourth session for half the participants. Interprets problem-size, transfer, and retention effects within a network-interference model of mental…

In 1966, Powel Elementary School initiated an ungraded system to discover if this program would meet the needs of its students and community. In 1967-68, an evaluation of this ungraded program was made to determine if the reading and arithmetic performance levels of the students at Powel were higher than those of a matched graded school. An…

The relationships between three types of tasks were investigated with 428 children from kindergarten through grade 6 showing that correspondence, seriation, and transitivity reflected different underlying concepts. Thus, it was concluded that neither correspondence nor transitivity tasks can serve as replacements for traditional seriation tasks in…

Examined effects of problem size in mental addition among elementary children in China (n=104) and Missouri (n=105) and among undergraduates in China (n=26) and Missouri (n=35). For all Missouri subjects and Chinese through first grade, larger-valued numbers took longer and induced more errors. (Author/NBI)

Investigates the effect of mental schemes corresponding to additive and multiplicative situations in the process of interpreting and solving problems. Classifies relative difficulties of problems according to their situations which are considered through a written test administered to pupils in grades 2, 3, and 4. Supports the assumption that…

Research conducted in several countries has shown consistent patterns of performance on "change,""combine," and "compare" word problems involving addition and subtraction. These findings are interpreted within a theoretical framework which emphasizes development of levels of word problem-solving ability related to…

In two parallel one-year studies, solution strategies for subtraction number facts and achievement patterns of matched groups of first graders in two different instructional programs were examined. Significant differences between groups were found favoring the strategy approach. (Author/CW)

Describes the characteristics of progressive schematization with regard to column multiplication and column division. Contrasts this with column arithmetic based on progressive complexity. Presents a summary of research data concerning column arithmetic. (TW)

This paper considers whether or not curriculum initiatives within England are in fact leading to qualitatively improved levels of thinking among children identified as lower achievers in arithmetic. Revisiting data from two earlier studies and introducing current data, the paper draws comparisons in the strategies that 8-year-old children use to…

Diagnostic interviews were conducted with third graders to determine why they made mistakes on sixteen arithmetical tasks. A modified version of the Newman method of analyzing errors is discussed and applied to these interviews. (MP)

The development of the place value system and its universal use demonstrate the elegance and efficiency of mathematics. This paper examines the concept of place value by: (1) presenting the historical development of the concept of place value in the Hindu-Arabic system; (2) considering the evolution of the number zero and its role in place value;…

Children appear to interpret the "equals" sign as an operator ("adds up to") not a relational ("the same as") symbol--e.g., viewing equations like 13 = 7 + 6 or 8 = 8 as senseless. This study, a natural experiment, examined the effects of long-term instruction emphasizing a relational definition of "equals."…