• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.215-226
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• 2004

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an activity of student who found purely linear algebraic solution of the Blackout puzzle. It shows how we can help and work with gifted students. It deals with algorithm, mathematical modeling, optimal solution and software.

• Bulletin of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.843-852
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• 2022

In this paper, we study some properties of Bézout and weakly Bézout rings. Then, we investigate the transfer of these notions to trivial ring extensions and amalgamated algebras along an ideal. Also, in the context of domains we show that the amalgamated is a Bézout ring if and only if it is a weakly Bézout ring. All along the paper, we put the new results to enrich the current literature with new families of examples of non-Bézout weakly Bézout rings.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-109
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• 2007

This study deals with the problem of transition from arithmetic to algebra and the relationship between elementary and secondary school mathematics for systems of linear equations. In elementary school, activity for solving word problems related to systems of linear equations in two variables falls broadly into using two strategies: Guess and check and making a table. In secondary school, those problems are solved algebraically, for example, by solving systems of equations using the technique of elimination. The analysis of mathematics textbooks shows that there is no link between strategies of elementary school mathematics and secondary school mathematics. We devised an alternative way to reinforce link between elementary and secondary school mathematics for systems of linear equations. Drawing a diagram can be introduced as a strategy solving word problems related to systems of linear equations in two variables in elementary school. Moreover it is closely related to the idea of the technique of elimination of secondary school mathematics. It may be a critical juncture of elementary-secondary school mathematics in the case of systems of linear equations in two variables.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.93-110
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• 2014

Algebra deals with so general properties about number system that it is called as 'generalized arithmetic'. Observing students' activities in algebra classes, however, we can discover that recognition of the generality in algebraic proofs is not so easy. One of these difficulties seems to be caused by variables which play an important role in algebraic proofs. Many studies show that students have experienced some difficulties in recognizing the meaning and the role of variables in algebraic proofs. For example, the confusion between 2m+2n=2(m+n) and 2n+2n=4n means that students misunderstand independent/dependent variation of variables. This misunderstanding naturally has effects on understanding of the meaning of proofs. Furthermore, students also have a difficulty in making a transition from algebraic proof to numerical cases which have the same structure as the proof. This study investigates whether middle school students can recognize dependent generality and make a transition from proofs to numerical cases. The result shows that the participants of this study have a difficulty in both of them. Based on the result, this study also includes didactical implications for teaching the generality of algebraic proofs.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.419-442
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• 2023

This study investigated fifth graders' understanding of variables from a generalized arithmetic and a functional perspectives of early algebra. Specifically, regarding a generalized perspective, we included the property of 1, the commutative property of addition, the associative property of multiplication, and a problem context with indeterminate quantities. Regarding the functional perspective, we covered additive, multiplicative, squaring, and linear relationships. A total of 246 students from 11 schools participated in this study. The results showed that most students could find specific values for variables and understood that equations involving variables could be rewritten using different symbols. However, they struggled to generalize problem situations involving indeterminate quantities to equations with variables. They also tended to think that variables used in representing the property of 1 and the commutative property of addition could only be natural numbers, and about 25% of the students thought that variables were fixed to a single number. Based on these findings, this paper suggests implications for elementary school students' understanding and teaching of variables.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Since western mathematics and astronomy had been introduced in Chosun dynasty in the 17th century, most of Chosun mathematicians studied Shu li jing yun(數理精蘊) for the western mathematics. In the last two decades of the 19th century, Chosun scholars have studied them which were introduced by Japanese text books and western missionaries. The former dealt mostly with elementary arithmetic and the latter established schools and taught mathematics. Lee Sang Seol(1870~1917) is well known in Korea as a Confucian scholar, government official, educator and foremost Korean independence movement activist in the 20th century. He was very eager to acquire western civilizations and studied them with the minister H. B. Hulbert(1863~1949). He wrote a mathematics book Su Ri(數理, 1898-1899) which has two parts. The first one deals with the linear part(線部) and geometry in Shu li jing yun and the second part with algebra. Using Su Ri, we investigate the process of transmission of western mathematics into Chosun in the century and show that Lee Sang Seol built a firm foundation for the study of algebra in Chosun.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.281-301
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• 2024

Many students have experienced difficulties due to the discontinuity in instruction between arithmetic and algebra, and in the field of elementary education, algebra is often treated somewhat implicitly. However, algebra must be learned as algebraic thinking in accordance with the developmental stage at the elementary level through the expansion of numerical systems, principles, and thinking. In this study, algebraic thinking-based classes were developed and conducted for 6th graders in elementary school, and the effect on the ability to solve word-problems in fraction division was analyzed. During the 11 instructional sessions, the students generalized the solution by exploring the relationship between the dividend and the divisor, and further explored generalized representations applicable to all cases. The results of the study confirmed that algebraic thinking-based classes have positive effects on their ability to solve fractional division word-problems. In the problem-solving process, algebraic thinking elements such as symbolization, generalization, reasoning, and justification appeared, with students discovering various mathematical ideas and structures, and using them to solve problems Based on the research results, we induced some implications for early algebraic guidance in elementary school mathematics.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.137-144
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• 1998

A common geoboard puzzel serves as the point of departure for an investigation that lends itself to whole-group discussion with a class of prospective secondary school teachers. Students are provided with opportunities to devise and carry out problem-solving strategies (called 'heuristics' by Polya); exploit inerrelationships among geometry, arithmetic and algebra; formulate generalizations and conjectures; plan and execute an computational project; construct mathematical arguments to establish theorems; and find counter-examples to dispose of a false conjecture. In recent tears, Eugene F. Krause wrote two papers having the same title except for the numeral In that papers he arrives at an theorem about the sizes of squares with lattice point vertices in the coordinate plane, In this paper we follow a different path genearlization to coordinate 3-space

• Bulletin of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.337-342
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• 1995

A semiring is a binary system $(S, +, \times)$ such that (S, +) is an Abelian monoid (identity 0), (S,x) is a monoid (identity 1), $\times$ distributes over +, 0 $\times s s \times 0 = 0$ for all s in S, and $1 \neq 0$. Usually S denotes the system and $\times$ is denoted by juxtaposition. If $(S,\times)$ is Abelian, then S is commutative. Thus all rings are semirings. Some examples of semirings which occur in combinatorics are Boolean algebra of subsets of a finite set (with addition being union and multiplication being intersection) and the nonnegative integers (with usual arithmetic). The concepts of matrix theory are defined over a semiring as over a field. Recently a number of authors have studied various problems of semiring matrix theory. In particular, Minc [4] has written an encyclopedic work on nonnegative matrices.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.85-102
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• 2000

The concept of variables is central to mathematics teaching and learning in junior and senior high school. Understanding the concept provides the basis for the transition from arithmetic to algebra and necessary for the meaningful use of all advanced mathematics. Despite the importance of the concept, however, much has been written in the last decade concerning students' difficulties with the concept. This Thesis is based on research to investigate the hypothesis that LOGO programming will contribute to 6th grader' learning of variables. The aim of the research were to; .investigate practice on pupils' understanding of variables before the activity with a computer; .identify functions of LOGO programming in pupils' using and understanding of variable symbols, variable domain and the relationship between two variable dependent expressions during the activity using a computer; .investigate the influence of pupils' mathematical belief on understanding and using variables. The research consisted predominantly of a case study of 6 pupils' discourse and activities concerning variable during their abnormal lessons and interviews with researcher. The data collected for this study included video recordings of the pupils'work with their spoken language.