Article
Burning the candle at just one end: Using nonproportional examples helps students determine when proportional strategies apply
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School
(2009)
Abstract
In learning proportions students must understand what makes a situation proportional. If all the missing-value problems encountered by middle-school students involve proportional situations, then there is no need for students to check the equivalence of the two ratios in the proportion they set up. The use of non-proportional situations presents a need for students to analyze the problem situation, determine the manner in which quantities co-vary, and identify the relationship that is invariant.
Keywords
- covariation,
- invariance,
- proportion,
- ratio,
- proportional reasoning,
- missing-value problem
Disciplines
Publication Date
April, 2009
Citation Information
Kien H Lim. "Burning the candle at just one end: Using nonproportional examples helps students determine when proportional strategies apply" Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School Vol. 14 Iss. 8 (2009) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kien_lim/11/