Research has identified several students' misinterpretations of the principles of the photoelectric effect (PE). Students cannot interpret the formula using the graph's context despite the linear dependence inherited in it. Many studies pointed out that the graphical representation of kinetic energy of the ejected electrons versus frequency of…

We present an algorithm for a matrix-based Enigma-type encoder based on a variation of the Hill Cipher as an application of 2 × 2 matrices. In particular, students will use vector addition and 2 × 2 matrix multiplication by column vectors to simulate a matrix version of the German Enigma Encoding Machine as a basic example of cryptography. The…

In this study, we examined a mathematician and one of his students' teaching journals and thought processes concurrently as the class was moving towards the proof of the Fundamental Theorem of Galois Theory. We employed Tall's framework of three worlds of mathematical thinking as well as Piaget's notion of accommodation to theoretically study the…

This article proposes a framework for classroom teachers to use in making pedagogical decisions regarding which mathematical materials (concrete and digital) to use, when they might be most appropriately used, and why. Two iPad apps ("Area of Shapes (Parallelogram)" and "Area of Parallelogram") are also evaluated to demonstrate…

A small number of studies have investigated student understanding of vector addition and subtraction in generic or introductory physics contexts, but in almost all cases the questions posed were in the vector arrow representation. In a series of experiments involving over 1000 students and several semesters, we investigated student understanding…

This study investigates prospective teachers' understanding of the connections between algebraic and graphical representations of the functions and their development of the concept via process-object conceptions in each of these situations. The results indicated that most of the participants were dependent upon an algebraic expression to think…

Much research has been conducted on how elementary students develop mathematical understanding and subsequently how teachers might use this information. This article builds on this type of work by investigating how one high-school algebra teacher designs and conducts a lesson on exponential functions. Through a lesson study format she studies with…

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) call for an in depth, integrated look at elementary school mathematical concepts. Some topics have been realigned to support an integration of topics leading to conceptual understanding. For example, the third-grade standards call for relating the concept of area (geometry) to multiplication…

In the United States a majority of the students who enroll in community colleges require a review of secondary math before they are eligible for college level mathematics. In the pre-algebra course, that has a high drop-out rate, the most difficult topic for students is fractions. In order to better understand the fraction concept, Kieren…

This study presents a model of three conceptual advances in understanding quadratic functions based on a teaching experiment with 6 8th-grade students. Using a covariation approach, students investigated quadratic growth as a coordinated change of x- and y-values. Qualitative analysis yielded three major shifts in students' understanding: a)…

This paper is based on a study which explored the conceptual understanding of Grade 11 mathematics learners of graphical functional relationships, in particular their understanding of the Cartesian plane, notation, symbols and graphical terminology. The National Curriculum Statement (NCS) for Grades 10-12 in mathematics stipulates functional…

The idea of what it means to understand mathematics has changed throughout history. Throughout, the function concept has remained a central theme. A conceptual understanding of function includes connections among multiple representations: (1) graphical; (2) verbal; (3) numerical; and (4) analytical. The idea of a function as a rule that describes…

Symbols occupy a pivotal position between processes to be carried out and concepts to be thought about. They allow us both to do mathematical problems and to think about mathematical relationships. In this presentation, the discontinuities that occur in the learning path taken by different students, leading to a divergence between conceptual and…

Presents evidence that there exists much confusion regarding the connection between the algebraic and geometric aspects of slope, scale, and angle. Participants responded to a simple but non-standard task concerning the behavior of slope under a non-homogeneous change of scale. Analysis of the responses reveals two main approaches termed…

Classroom related topics discussed are: cryptics and statistics; understanding absolute value; recognizing quadratic equations with no real roots; and two derivations of a formula for finding the distance from a point to a line. (MP)