Rates of Change and an Iterative Conception of Quadratics

Title
Rates of Change and an Iterative Conception of Quadratics
Publication Date
2005
Author(s)
Afamasaga-Fuata'i, K
Editor
Editor(s): Philip Clarkson, Ann Downton, Donna Gronn, Marj Horne, Andrea McDonough, Robyn Pierce, Anne Roche
Type of document
Conference Publication
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA)
Place of publication
Sydney, Australia
UNE publication id
une:356
Abstract
Investigating students' conceptions of covariation patterns between quantities situated within contextual settings engenders enriched, deep understandings of functional relationships. This paper presents data from a case study of a student (Mary) who solved quadratic contextual problems. Mary's schemes, constructed from quadratically related quantities and patterns of additive rates, fostered the development of an iterative, summative conceptualisation of quadratics in contrast to the product view. Findings support the use of contextual problems to motivate students to think reflectively and mathematically.
Link
Citation
Building Connections: Theory, Research and Practice. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, p. 65-72
ISBN
1920846093
Start page
65
End page
72

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