The investigation of prospective mathematics teachers’ non-algebraic solution strategies for word problems

• Mehmet Fatih Öçal ^[1] ; Ceylan Şen ^[2] ; Gürsel Güler ^[2] ; Tuğrul Kar c ^[3]
  1. [1] Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University

     Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University

     Turquía

     
  2. [2] Bozok Universitesi

     Bozok Universitesi

     Turquía

     
  3. [3] Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

     Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

     Turquía

     

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• Localización: International journal of mathematical education in science and technology, ISSN 0020-739X, Vol. 51, Nº. 4, 2020, págs. 563-584
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • This study aims to investigate the non-algebraic solution strategies that prospective mathematics teachers use to solve word problems and their thought process while they were solving the problems. A total of 76 prospective mathematics teachers were asked to solve two word problems without using algebraic solutions and, then, clinical interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of 20 participants. The solutions used by the participants were analysed according to the type and frequency of the strategy. The results show that prospective mathematics teachers did not use various nonalgebraic solutions for word problems and that they used the guess and check strategy most often. According to the findings obtained from the interviews, it was found that the participants tended to rely on solutions that used algebraic equations related to the problem while producing solution strategies. Furthermore, the participants were found to have a limited understanding of how to interpret the algebraic equations within their context, the difference between algebraic and non-algebraic solutions, and problem-solving strategies, which prevented the participants from producing alternative solution strategies.