Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems

Erica Dorethea Spangenberg; Aphane Koko Pithmajor

doi:10.29333/ejmste/8252

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Erica Dorethea Spangenberg ¹ ^* , Aphane Koko Pithmajor ¹

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¹ University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Many Grade 9 mathematics learners face difficulties in solving number-pattern problems due to insufficient exposure to strategies in solving such problems. The aim of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate Grade 9 mathematics learners’ strategies in solving number-pattern problems. The problem-solving conceptual framework of Singer and Voica (2013) highlighting four indicators, namely decoding, representing, processing and implementing, underpinned the study. Ninety Grade 9 learners were purposively selected from three rural schools (30 from each school) to participate. Qualitative data were collected through a written activity and semi-structured one-on-one interviews. The study found that learners utilise four main strategies to solve number-pattern problems, namely (1) direct counting; (2) direct proportion; (3) recursive strategy; and (4) mental image representation. Knowledge about learners’ strategies can assist teachers in their pedagogies to teach number-pattern problems. The study adds to the research on problem solving, specifically pertaining to number patterns.

Keywords

learners
mathematics
number-pattern
problem solving
strategies

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 16, Issue 7, July 2020, Article No: em1862

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8252

Publication date: 10 May 2020

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How to cite this article

APA

Spangenberg, E. D., & Pithmajor, A. K. (2020). Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 16(7), em1862. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8252

Vancouver

Spangenberg ED, Pithmajor AK. Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2020;16(7):em1862. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8252

AMA

Spangenberg ED, Pithmajor AK. Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2020;16(7), em1862. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8252

Chicago

Spangenberg, Erica Dorethea, and Aphane Koko Pithmajor. "Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2020 16 no. 7 (2020): em1862. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8252

Harvard

Spangenberg, E. D., and Pithmajor, A. K. (2020). Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 16(7), em1862. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8252

MLA

Spangenberg, Erica Dorethea et al. "Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 16, no. 7, 2020, em1862. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8252