Students often instrumentally use variables and unknowns without considering the variational thinking behind them. Using parameters to modify the coefficients or unknowns in equations or systems of linear equations (without altering their structure) involves consciously incorporating variational thinking into problem-solving. We will test the…

In this article, examples are shown to demonstrate how open-ended mathematical activities can be used in the classroom. Open-ended activities give students opportunities to apply their understanding in unfamiliar contexts without the pressure of finding one perfect solution.

Background: Problem-solving as a vehicle to develop independent thinking skills is mostly underestimated and is often either overlooked or not given adequate attention within the existing South African mathematics curriculum. Consequently, numerous learners often display limited skills or lack skills to adequately crack Mathematics problems by…

The aim of the exploratory method research centered on the presence of mathematical tools in STEM through three main questions: Is mathematics an essential tool in the field of STEM? Can mathematics complete projects solely with mathematical and digital tools? Does understanding mathematical modeling affect STEM teaching? A better understanding of…

The paper presents results of two case studies with undergraduate students majoring in applied mathematics and engineering. The first case study deals with students' preferences for and difficulties with application problems and pure mathematics questions in their courses. The students were majoring in applied mathematics and taking a second-year…

Previous research has investigated the representational translation practices of high school students, high school teachers, and college preservice teachers in various mathematical contexts including linear functions. Findings from qualitative research has frequently led to new notions about participant work and understanding. Many quantitative…

Recent multiplication with regrouping research shows that the combination of the concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) sequence and the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) has been effective in several studies. More evidence is needed to demonstrate CRA-SIM's effectiveness across settings and students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to…

Problems are part of our lives. It causes stress, tension, emotional instability, and physical strain to us. It is very essential to deal with our problems before they deal with our happiness. Problem solving skill is an irreplaceable life skill and it is cognitive or thinking activity essential to our day-to-day lives. In order to lead a…

Problems for students with a high mathematical potential can be far more complex and challenging than problems normally used in regular classrooms. The problems we developed for mathematically gifted students offer the possibility of acquiring and using heuristics (so called patterns of actions) which are useful in problem solving processes.…

Mathematical problems and puzzles that require commitment and perseverance to solve can help foster deep mathematics understanding in students. In this brief, the author describes factors that influence productive struggle, shares four examples of how teachers often respond to their students' productive struggles, and offers four strategies to…

Two simple discrete-time models of mutation-induced cannibalism are introduced and investigated, one linear and one nonlinear. Both form the basis for possible classroom activities and independent investigative study. A range of classroom exercises are provided, along with suggestions for further investigations.

The study of solutions to polynomial equations over finite fields has a long history in mathematics and is an interesting area of contemporary research. In recent years, the subject has found important applications in the modelling of problems from applied mathematical fields such as signal analysis, system theory, coding theory and cryptology. In…

Using a cluster-randomized controlled trial research design, this study investigates the effect of the first year of a three-year teacher professional development program on grades 1 and 2 student achievement in mathematics. Although the findings reported in the present report do not meet the standard cutoff for statistical significance (e.g., 95%…

The use of dynamic geometry software (DGS) is becoming increasingly familiar among teachers, but letting students conduct inquiries using computers is still not a welcome idea. In addition to logistics and discipline concerns, many teachers believe that mathematics at the lower secondary level can be learned efficiently through practice alone.…

In this "Delving Deeper" article, the author introduces the slip-slide method for solving Algebra 1 mathematics problems. This article compares the traditional method approach of trial and error to the slip-slide method of factoring. Tools that used to be taken for granted now make it possible to investigate relationships visually,…