• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.29-48
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• 2002

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the transfer in mathematics learning, especially focussing on arithmetic and algebra. There are many obstacles at the stage of transfer in learning. In the case of mathematics, each learning contents are definitely categorized by the learning level, therefore these obstacles are more happened than other subjects. First of all, this paper investigates the historical transfer from arithmetic to algebra by Sfard's perspectives. And we define prealgebra as the stage between arithmetic and algebra, which may be revised obstacles or misconceptions happened in the early algebra learning. Also, this paper discusses various obstacles and concrete examples happened in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. To advance the understanding in the learning of algebra, we consider the core contents of the algebra learning which should be stressed at the prealgebra stage. Finally we present the teaching units of (pre)algebra which are sequenced from the variable concepts to equations.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.61-78
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• 2008

In this paper, we discuss about De Morgan's view on the development of algebra according to following distinctions: arithmetic, universal arithmetic, symbolic algebra, significant algebra. De Morgan thought that the differences between arithmetic and universal arithmetic lie in the usage of letters and the immediate performance of computation. In his viewpoint, universal arithmetic is a transitional phase, in which absurd phenomena occur, from arithmetic to algebra and these absurd phenomena call for algebra. The feature of De Morgan's view on the development of algebra is that symbolic calculus which consist of symbol system without symbol's meaning is acquired, then as extended meanings are furnished to symbols, symbolic calculus become logical so significant calculus is developed. For example, Single algebra is developed, as an extended meaning is furnished to a symbol -1, and double algebra is developed, as an extended meaning is furnished to a symbol $\sqrt{-1}$. According to De Morgan, a symbol system is derived from the incompleteness of a prior symbol system.

• Bulletin of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.717-734
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• 2015

In this paper, we provide a classification of arithmetic functions in terms of identically-free-distributedness, determined by a fixed prime. We show then such classifications are free from the choice of primes. In particular, we obtain that the algebra $A_p$ of equivalence classes under the quotient on A by the identically-free-distributedness is isomorphic to an algebra $\mathbb{C}^2$, having its multiplication $({\bullet});(t_1,t_2){\bullet}(s_1,s_2)=(t_1s_1,t_1s_2+t_2s_1)$.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.25-44
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• 2003

In this paper, we deal with the ‘dearithmetization’ of algebra. Historically, the origin of algebra comes from arithmetic. Also school algebra is related to arithmetic in general. However, we have many difficulties in teaching school algebra, and there is many problems for students to learn algebra from elementary arithmetic knowledges. This paper supposed that the solution of these problem may be founded in the ‘dearithmetization’ of algebra. And we supposed that the ‘dearithmetization’ of algebra may be developed by three historical achievements - the completion of symbolic algebra, the principle of permanence of form, and the expansion of number concepts. In order to justify these supposition, we investigate Peacock's ideas, i.e. ‘symbolic algebra’, ‘the principle of permanence of form’, and consider how the integer is introduced in modern mathematics. And we analyze various textbooks, and investigate the ‘dearithmetization’ of school algebra which has been progressed in the three fields - symbolic algebra, the principle of permanence of form, and the expansion of number concepts.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.275-292
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• 2010

In this study, we discussed the way to teach algebra earlier through investigating to research trends of Early Algebra and researching about nature of subject involving algebra. There is a strong view that arithmetic and algebra have analogous forms and that algebra is on extension to arithmetic. Nevertheless, it is also possible to present a perspective that the fundamental goal and role of symbols and letters are difference between arithmetic and algebra. And, we could recognize that geometry was starting point of algebra trough historical perspectives. To consider these, we extracted some of possible directions to approaches to teach algebra earlier. To access to teaching algebra earlier, following ways are possible. (1) To consider informal strategy of young children. (2) Arithmetic reasoning considered of the algebraic relation. (3) Starting to algebraic reasoning in the context of geometrical problem situation. (4) To present young students to tool of letters and formular.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.215-233
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• 2008

Deep comprehension of basic mathematical notions and concepts is a basic condition of a successful teaching. Some elements of algebraic thinking belong to the elementary school mathematics. The question "What stays the same and what changes?" link arithmetic problems with algebraic conception of variable. We have studied beliefs and comprehensions of future elementary school mathematics teachers on early algebra. Pre-service teachers from three academic pedagogical colleges deal with mathematical problems from the pre-algebra point of view, with the emphasis on changes and invariants. The idea is that the intensive use of non-formal algebra may help learners to construct a better understanding of fundamental ideas of arithmetic on the strong basis of algebraic thinking. In this article the study concerning arithmetic series is described. Considerable number of pre-service teachers moved from formulas to deep comprehension of the subject. Additionally, there are indications of ability to apply the conception of change and invariance in other mathematical and didactical contexts.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.453-475
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• 2007

School algebra starts with introducing algebraic expressions which have been one of the cognitive obstacles to the students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. In the recent studies on the teaching school algebra, algebraic thinking is getting much more attention together with algebraic expressions. In this paper, we examined the processes of the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and ways for teaching early algebra through algebraic thinking factors. Issues about algebraic thinking have continued since 1980's. But the theoretic foundations for algebraic thinking have not been founded in the previous studies. In this paper, we analyzed the algebraic thinking in school algebra from historico-genetic, epistemological, and symbolic-linguistic points of view, and identified algebraic thinking factors, i.e. the principle of permanence of formal laws, the concept of variable, quantitative reasoning, algebraic interpretation - constructing algebraic expressions, trans formational reasoning - changing algebraic expressions, operational senses - operating algebraic expressions, substitution, etc. We also identified these algebraic thinking factors through analyzing mathematics textbooks of elementary and middle school, and showed the middle school students' low achievement relating to these factors through the algebraic thinking ability test. Based upon these analyses, we argued that the readiness for algebra learning should be made through the processes including algebraic thinking factors in the elementary school and that the transfer from arithmetic to algebra should be accomplished naturally through the pre-algebra course. And we searched for alternative ways to improve algebra curriculums, emphasizing algebraic thinking factors. In summary, we identified the problems of school algebra relating to the transfer from arithmetic to algebra with the problem of teaching algebraic thinking and analyzed the algebraic thinking factors of school algebra, and searched for alternative ways for improving the transfer from arithmetic to algebra and the teaching of early algebra.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.355-392
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• 2013

Generally school algebra is to start with introducing variables and algebraic expressions, which have major cognitive obstacles to students in the transfer from arithmetic to algebra. But the recent studies in the teaching school algebra argue the algebraic thinking from an early algebraic point of view. We compare the Korean elementary mathematics textbooks with Americans from this perspective. First, we discuss the history of school algebra in the school curriculum. And Second, we investigate the recent studies in relation to early algebra. We clarify the goals of this study(the importance of early algebra in the elementary school) through these discussions. Next we examine closely the number sense in the arithmetic and the symbol sense in the algebra. And we conclude that the operation sense can connect these senses within early algebra using the algebraic thinking. Finally, we compare the elementary mathematics books between Korean and American according to the components of the operation sense. In this comparative study, we identify a possibility of teaching algebraic thinking in the elementary mathematics and early algebra can be introduced to the elementary mathematics textbooks from aspects of the operation sense.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.335-343
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• 2001

Algebra is important part of mathematics education. Recent days, many mathematics educators emphasize on real world situation. Form real situation, pupils make sense of concepts, and mathematize it by reflective thinking. After that they formalize the concepts in abstract. For example, operation in numbers develops these course. Operation in natural number is an arithmetic, but operation on real number is algebra. Transition from arithmetic to algebra has the cutting point in representing the concepts to mathematics sign system. In this note, we see the cognitive tendency of 10th grade about operation of real number, their cutting point of transition from arithmetic to algebra, and show some methods of helping pupils.

• Communications of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.327-335
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• 2022

Let R be a commutative ring with identity. We call the ring R to be an almost weakly finite conductor if for any two elements a and b in R, there exists a positive integer n such that aⁿR ∩ bⁿR is finitely generated. In this article, we give some conditions for the trivial ring extensions and the amalgamated algebras to be almost weakly finite conductor rings. We investigate the transfer of these properties to trivial ring extensions and amalgamation of rings. Our results generate examples which enrich the current literature with new families of examples of nonfinite conductor weakly finite conductor rings.