Factors and Multiples: Important and Misunderstood

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Factors and Multiples: Important and Misunderstood
Language: English
Authors: Hurst, Chris (ORCID 0000-0002-8797-8508), Hurrell, Derek (ORCID 0000-0003-2904-8473), Huntley, Ray (ORCID 0000-0001-9720-4509)
Source: International Online Journal of Primary Education. 2021 10(2):273-286.
Availability: International Online Journal of Primary Education. e-mail: editor.online.iojpe@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.iojpe.org/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Mathematical Concepts, Elementary School Mathematics, Concept Formation, Arithmetic, Foreign Countries, Elementary School Science
Geographic Terms: Australia, United Kingdom
ISSN: 1300-915X
Abstract: Factors and multiples are important aspects of mathematical structure that support the understanding of a range of other ideas including multiplication and division, and later on, factorization. At primary school level, it is important that factors and multiples are taught as a connected enterprise and as vital parts of the multiplicative situation; that is multiplication and division. The primary objective of the study on which this paper is based was to determine the extent of children's understanding of factors and multiples. A written quiz containing questions about factors and multiples and asking for children to explain their responses, was administered. Results suggest that the language involved with factors and multiples may play a role in the extent to which children develop a conceptual understanding of them. Also, most children know some things about factors and multiples but struggled to connect and articulate ideas when factors and multiples were presented in a different context. In conclusion, the inconsistency of participant responses suggests that teaching about factors and multiples needs to emanate from a more conceptual and connected standpoint.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1334962
Database: ERIC
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