Abstract:

Abstract enIn this study, it is aimed to compare the performances of different grade students about making operations by using algebraic, geometric, and number line representation of the rational numbers. With case study methodology, the study was carried out at a secondary school in a district of the Eastern Karadeniz Region of Turkey in the fall semester of 2006-2007. The sample of research consisted of totally 170 students; 59 of them were at sixth grade, 49 of them were at seventh grade and 62 of them were at eighth grade. To compare the performance of students at different grades, a test comprising of 18 multiple- choice questions was implemented to the sample. The data obtained from the test was statistically analyzed by using t-test and ANOVA. At the end of the study, it is found out that the more grade level of the students raise the more performance of students by making operations with all type of representation about rational numbers increase. But, students’ performance of making operations by using algebraic representation of rational number increases more than the others. The study is completed with suggestions regarding the different types of representations and the importance of making operations with them.

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