• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.115-134
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• 2017

It is necessary to understand the characteristics of each type of division problems in other to help students develop a rich understanding when they learn each type of division problems. This study focuses on a specific type of division problems; a quotitive division as finding a scale factor in enlargement context. First, this study investigated via survey how 4th-6th graders and preservice and inservice elementary teachers solved a quotitive division relating to scaling problem. And semi-structured interviews with preservice and inservice elementary teachers were conducted to explore what knowledge they brought when they tried to solve enlargement quotitive division problems. Most of participants solved the given quotitive division problem in the same way. Only a few preservice and inservice teachers interpreted it as a proportion problem and solved in a different way. From the interviews, it was found that different conceptions of context and decontextualization, and different conceptions of times (as repeated addition or as a multiplicative operator) were connected to different solutions. Finally, three issues relating to teaching enlargement quotitive division were discussed; visual representation of two solutions, conceptions connected each solution, and integrating quotitive division and proportion in math textbooks.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.521-539
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• 2016

The structures of partitive and quotitive division of fractions are dealt with differently, and this led to using partitive division context for helping develop invert-multiply algorithm and quotitive division for common denominator algorithm. This approach is unlikely to provide children with an opportunity to develop an understanding of common structure involved in solving different types of division. In this study, I propose two approaches, measurement approach and isomorphism approach, to develop a unifying understanding of fraction division. From each of two approaches of solving quotitive division based on proportional reasoning, I discuss an idea of constructing a measure space, unit of which is a quantity of divisor, and another idea of constructing an isomorphic relationship between the measure spaces of dividend and divisor. These ideas support invert-multiply algorithm for quotitive as well as partitive division and bring proportional reasoning into the context of fraction division. I also discuss some curriculum issues regarding fraction division and proportion in order to promote the proposed unifying understanding of partitive and quotitive division of fractions.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.385-403
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• 2018

Fraction division can be categorized as partitive division, measurement division, and the inverse of a Cartesian product. In the contexts of quotitive division and the inverse of a Cartesian product, the multiply-by-the-reciprocal algorithm is drawn well out. In this study, I analyze the potential and significance of the method of using $1{\div}$(divisor) as an alternative way of developing the multiply-by-the-reciprocal algorithm in the context of quotitive division. The method of using $1{\div}$(divisor) in quotitive division has the following advantages. First, by this method we can draw the multiply-by-the-reciprocal algorithm keeping connection with the context of quotitive division. Second, as in other contexts, this method focuses on the multiplicative relationship between the divisor and 1. Third, as in other contexts, this method investigates the multiplicative relationship between the divisor and 1 by two kinds of reasoning that use either ${\frac{1}{the\;denominator\;of\;the\;divisor}}$ or the numerator of the divisor as a stepping stone. These advantages indicates the potential of this method in understanding the multiply-by-the-reciprocal algorithm as the common structure of fraction division. This method is based on the dual meaning of a fraction as a quantity and the composition of times which the current elementary mathematics textbook does not focus on. It is necessary to pay attention to how to form this basis when developing teaching materials for fraction division.

• School Mathematics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.585-604
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• 2010

This study aims to investigate understanding of meanings of division, quotitive division and partitive division, by the third graders and preservice elementary teachers. To do this, we analysed and compared mathematics textbooks according to 9 mathematics curricula, gathered information about their understanding by questionnaire method targeting 5 third graders and 36 preservice elementary teachers, and analysed their responses in relation to recognition of division-based situations, solution using visual representations, and awareness of quotitive division and partitive division. In Korea, meanings of division have been taught in grade 2 or 3 in various ways according to curricula. In particular, the mathematics textbook of present curriculum shows a couple of radical changes in relation to introduction of division. We raised the necessity of reexamination of these changes, based on our results from questionnaire analysis that show lack of understanding about two meanings of division by the preservice elementary teachers as well as the third graders. And we also induced several didactical implications for teaching meanings of division.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.91-106
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• 2008

Interviews with 24 pupils in grade 1-2 were used to investigate awareness of the relation between situation and computation in simple quotitive and partitive division problems as informally experienced. Then it was suggested how to connect children's informal knowledge and formal knowledge of division. Most subjects counted cubes or made drawing, and related these methods to the situation described in the problems. In result, quotitive division was experienced as a dealing situation, where the number of items represented by the divisor was repeatedly taken from the whole number. And estimate-adjust was the most frequently displayed way of experiencing partitive division. Therefore, partitive division with its two measurement variables can be related to a measurement model. And children should be taught column algorithms for division with estimated-adjust which pupils used for partitive division problems.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 2013

This study attempts to propose the construction of textbook contents of fraction division and to suggest a method to strengthen the connection among problem context, manipulation activities and symbols by proposing an algorithm of dividing fractions based on problem contexts. As showing the suitable algorithm to problem context, it is able to understand meaningfully that the algorithm of fractions division is that of multiplication of a reciprocal. It also shows how to deal with remainder in the division of fractions. The results of this study are expected to make a meaningful contribution to textbook development for primary students.