• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.267-289
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• 2009

Students have difficulties in solving linear equation problems with a variable on the right side rather than linear equation problems a variable on the left side of the sign of equality. In order for students to overcome such difficulties, opportunities to experience many types of basic linear equation problems would have to be provided. Also, it is necessary to examine the process of students' problem solving process by constructing various types of evaluation item and test them in instruction and learning of linear equations, or grasp students' studying statues through individual interview and based on theses, error correction through feedbacks have to be achieved.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.229-252
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• 2022

This study analyzed the introduction of addition and subtraction, including the composition and decomposition of numbers in the Korean, Singaporean, American, and Japanese elementary mathematics textbooks. The analytic foci of this study included visual models and their connections with the given problem contexts, the introduction of addition/subtraction or addition/subtraction sentences and their connections with the visual models, and additional activities for students to develop a relational understanding of the equal sign. The results of the analysis demonstrated diverse connections, mainly because the problem contexts, visual models, and the introduction of addition/subtraction or addition/subtraction sentences were implemented differently for each textbook. There were differences among the textbooks in what order of problem contexts were presented. Regarding the use of visual models, two textbooks tended to use one model consistently, whereas the other textbooks used various models depending on the problem contexts. There were subtle but significant differences in introducing addition/subtraction or addition/subtraction sentences. For a relational understanding of the equal sign, all textbooks included activities emphasizing that both sides of the equal sign are equal. Based on the results of this study, this paper closes with several implications related to the problem contexts to introduce addition/subtraction and addition/subtraction sentences as well as the use of visual models, which can serve as a basis for a new unit for the subsequent textbook.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.643-662
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• 2017

The first appearance of the equations in elementary school mathematics is in the expression of the equal sign in the addition sentences without its definition. Most elementary school students have operational understanding of the equal sign in equations. Moreover, students' opportunities to have a clear concept of the properties of operations are limited because they are used implicitly in the textbooks. Based on this fact, it has been argued that it is necessary to introduce the properties of operations explicitly in terms of specific numbers and to deal with various types of equations for understanding a relational meaning of the equal sign. In this study, we use equations to represent the implicit properties of operations and the relational meaning of the equal sign in elementary school mathematics with respect to students' level of understanding. In addition, we give some explicit examples which show how to apply them to make efficient computations.