Students’ ability to determine the truth value of mathematical propositions in the context of operation meanings


DORUK M., Doruk G.

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, vol.53, no.4, pp.753-786, 2022 (ESCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 53 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/0020739x.2020.1782494
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Applied Science & Technology Source, Computer & Applied Sciences, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), zbMATH, DIALNET
  • Page Numbers: pp.753-786
  • Keywords: Mathematical argumentation, mathematics education, middle school students, multiplication and division
  • Hakkari University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal 5th class middle school students’ determination skills on the truth value of mathematical propositions about multiplication and division. These skills were evaluated in the context of operation meanings preferred and arguments constructed by the students in the process. The research group consisted of 95 fifth-grade students studying at a state middle school in Turkey. The study an example of sequential explanatory from mixed research designs. The data of the study were collected in three stages. In the first and the second stage, quantitative data of the study were gathered with Awareness Questionnaire (AQ) and Proposition Evaluation Test (PET) developed by the researchers. In the third stage, semi-structured task-based interviews were conducted. As a result of the study, it was revealed that students had more difficulty in selecting false mathematical propositions. Most of the students used counterexample and deductive warrants for the falsity of the propositions, and inductive warrants for the truth of the propositions. These results showed that determining the false propositions was an important ability and students preferring operational meanings had disadvantages in this process.