This is an article about abstraction, generalization, and the beauty of mathematics. We claim that abstraction and generalization in of itself may very well be a beauty of the human mind. The fact that we humans continue to explore and expand mathematics is truly beautiful and remarkable. Many years ago, our ancestors understood that seven stones,…

Within a study of student reasoning in abstract algebra, we encountered the claim "division and multiplication are the same operation." What might prompt a student to make this claim? What kind of influence might believing it have on their mathematical development? We explored the philosophical roots of "sameness" claims to…

In this study, we identify ways in which a sample of 18 graduates with mathematics-related first degrees found the nth term for quadratic sequences from the first values of a sequence of data, presented on a computer screen in various formats: tabular, scattered data pairs and sequential. Participants' approaches to identifying the nth term were…

This paper substantiates the notion of inclusive materialism by illustrating the role of signs and micro-perception in the learning process of multiplication. Inclusive materialism, offered by de Freitas and Sinclair, considers mathematical learning a process of becoming a learning assemblage, which embodies various materials in a Deleuzian sense.…

Binary operations are one of the fundamental structures underlying our number and algebraic systems. Yet, researchers have often left their role implicit as they model student understanding of abstract structures. In this paper, we directly analyze students' perceptions of the general binary operation via a two-phase study consisting of task-based…

The use of cartoons, songs, and quotes can be a useful way to engage students in discussion and learning key concepts about quantifying the uncertainty in statistical estimates.

The concept of determinant plays a central role in many linear algebra concepts and is also applied to other branches of mathematics and science. In this study, we focus on the application of determinant and inverse matrix concepts, in solving systems of equations by a group of 116 in-service mathematics teachers who were studying the topic at a…

This study analyzes the relationship between the entry path to a degree and the prior statistical competence of students taking a Statistics and Probability course at an online university. We assessed students' prior knowledge by administering a pretest of the information covered in the course analyzed. The sample includes 108 students from…

In this paper we discuss findings of a study that investigated the resources and language that teachers in Malawi use to teach the concept of zero. In Malawi primary schools, textual resources available to teachers are mainly the curriculum materials in the form of syllabus, teacher guides and learner textbooks. The syllabus and teacher guides are…

Special Education teachers serve students who are struggling in mathematics and continue to fall further behind each year. Educators are faced with the challenge of selecting the most effective program for assessing and teaching mathematics that will promote mathematics achievement for students who are served in resource settings. The KeyMath-3…

Algebraic Thinking Skills (ATS) are one of the skills that students need to master in order to solve nonroutine problems. These skills are also necessary as a foundation for students preparing to enter university studies and fields of work that require logical and analytical thinking. However, Malaysian students' performance in solving algebraic…

We report on an innovative design of algorithmic analysis that supports automatic online assessment of students' exploration of geometry propositions in a dynamic geometry environment. We hypothesized that difficulties with and misuse of terms or logic in conjectures are rooted in the early exploration stages of inquiry. We developed a generic…

State standards include fluent use of standard computational algorithms. However, learning and using them require conceptual understanding of numbers and operations. Previous research using the concrete--representational--abstract (CRA) sequence has been effective in teaching computational algorithms to students at risk of and students with…

Primary school students have trouble understanding concepts related to fractions. On the other hand, technology constantly provides interesting tools that stimulate students' interest and foster learning. Among these, tangible user interfaces allow users to interact with digital applications through the manipulation of everyday objects. Given that…

In this study, a STEM activity was designed and implemented for eighth-grade students. The activity was used with thirty students and involved the construction of various hologram pyramids. During the activity, the mathematical concepts used in designing the hologram pyramids were discussed and the resulting hologram images were compared…