• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-90
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to understand students' thinking process in the algebra problem solving, on the base of the works of Vinner(1997a, 1997b). Thus, two middle school students were evaluated in this case study to examine how they think to solve algebra word problems. The following question was considered to analyze the thinking process from the similarity-based perspective by focusing on the process of solving algebra word problems; What is the relationship between similarity and the characteristics of thinking process at the time of successful and unsuccessful problem solving? The following results were obtained by analyzing the success or failure in problem solving based on the characteristics of thinking process and similarity composition. Successful problem solving can be based on pseudo-analytical thought and analytical thought. The former is the rule applied in the process of applying closed formulas that is constructed structural similarity not related with the situations described in the text. The latter means that control and correction occurred in all stages of problem solution. The knowledge needed for solutions was applied with the formulation of open-end formulas that is constructed structural similarity in which memory and modification with the related principles or concepts. In conclusion, the student's perception on the principles involved in a solution is very important in solving algebraic word problems.

• School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 2015

This study examined mathematics class using the CAS(Computer Algebra Systems, CAS) targeted for high school first grade students. We examined what kind of transforming of representations got up according to mathematics subject contents at this classroom. This study analyzed 15 math lessons during one month and the focus of analysis was on the classroom teacher. In particular, for transformations among representations this study mainly investigated from theoretical frameworks such as transparent and opaque representation of Lesh, Behr & Post(1987), descriptive and depictive representation of Kosslyn(1994). According to the results of this study, CAS technology affected the transforming of representations in high school math class and this transforming of representations improved the students' thinking and understanding of mathematical concepts and provided the opportunity to create the representation of individual student. Such results of this study suggest the importance of CAS technology's role in transforming of representations. and they offer the chance to reconsider the fact that CAS technology could be used to improve students' ability of transforming representations at the mathematics class.

• School Mathematics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.193-217
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• 2010

CRESST(the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing at UCLA) is now carrying out the research, which was scheduled for a five year period from 2007 to 2011. This research aimed at testing the effectiveness of the formative assessment program by continuously conducting the program on the target group and steadily applying the recurring feedback, in order to reform the teachers' teaching and to facilitate students' learning. To do this, CRESST has set out to develop the material for 7th graders since January 2007, and KICE(Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation) have been running a collaborated research since July 2007, while sharing the instructional materials developed by CRESST. In 2008, the pre-test was conducted prior to this study in 2009. Especially, this paper deals with the Korean 8th graders' scholastic achievements in algebra domain measured by PowerSource(c). In addition, this study would examine the responses of teachers and students on its application.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.223-240
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• 2015

This paper deals with how to design and develop white-box based e-learning contents which are equipped with conceptual understanding and step-by-step computational procedures for studying vector calculus for science-engineering majors who might need supplementary mathematics learning. Noting that rewriting rules are often used in school mathematics for students' problem solving, the theoretical aspects of rewriting rules are reviewed for developing supplementary e-learning contents for them. The software design of step-by-step problem solving requires careful arrangement of rewriting rules and pattern matching techniques for white-box procedures using a computer algebra system such as Mathematica. Several modules for step-by-step problem solving as well as producing dynamic display of e-learning contents was coded by Mathematica in order to find the length of a curve in vector calculus after implementing several rules for differentiation and integration. The developed contents are equipped with diagnostic modules and immediate feedback for supplementary learning in terms of a tutorial. At the end, this paper indicates the strengths and features of the developed contents for college students who need to increase math learning capabilities, and suggests future research directions.

• School Mathematics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.803-825
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• 2014

From the early stages of learning algebra, literal symbols are used to represent algebraic objects such as variables and parameters. The concept of parameters contains both indeterminacy and fixity resulting in confusion and errors in understanding. The purpose of this research is to compare the beginners of algebra and pre-service teachers who completed secondary mathematics education in terms of understanding this paradoxical nature of parameters. We recruited 35 middle school students in eight grade and 73 pre-service teachers enrolled in a undergraduate course at one university. Using them we conducted a survey on the perception of the nature of parameters asking if one considers parameters suggested in a problem as variables or constants. We analyzed the collected data using the mixed method of qualitative and quantitative approaches. From the analysis results, we identified several difficulties in understanding of parameters from both groups. Especially, our statistical analysis revealed that the proportions of subjects with limited understanding of the concept of parameters do not differ much in two groups. This suggests that learning algebra in secondary mathematics education does not improve the understanding of the nature of parameters significantly.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.65-79
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• 2014

The present study seeks to provide an easy path to differential perceptions of students at the upper high school level by applying a story telling method and also, characteristically, to earn some time for class discussion by reducing learning time for simple calculational procedure through Computer Algebra System(CAS) tools. This study offers a clear example of storytelling textbooks through Sage. Hence, the study aims at enabling students who have practiced contents with Sage tools to deal with diverse and complicated calculation problems, if they learn to build up mathematical formulas for those problems.

• Journal of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1253-1270
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• 2015

Let (R, m) be a commutative Noetherian local domain, M a non-zero finitely generated R-module of dimension n > 0 and I be an ideal of R. In this paper it is shown that if $x_1,{\ldots },x_t$ ($1{\leq}t{\leq}n$) be a sub-set of a system of parameters for M, then the R-module $H^t_{(x_1,{\ldots },x_t)}$(R) is faithful, i.e., Ann $H^t_{(x_1,{\ldots },x_t)}$(R) = 0. Also, it is shown that, if $H^i_I$ (R) = 0 for all i > dim R - dim R/I, then the R-module $H^{dimR-dimR/I}_I(R)$ is faithful. These results provide some partially affirmative answers to the Lynch's conjecture in [10]. Moreover, for an ideal I of an arbitrary Noetherian ring R, we calculate the annihilator of the top local cohomology module $H^1_I(M)$, when $H^i_I(M)=0$ for all integers i > 1. Also, for such ideals we show that the finitely generated R-algebra $D_I(R)$ is a flat R-algebra.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.301-310
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• 2015

Since Jiuzhang Suanshu, the main tools in the theory of right triangles, known as Gougushu in East Asia were algebraic identities about three sides of a right triangle derived from the Pythagorean theorem. Using tianyuanshu up to siyuanshu, Song-Yuan mathematicians could skip over those identities in the theory. Chinese Mathematics in the 17-18th centuries were mainly concerned with the identities along with the western geometrical proofs. Jeong Yag-yong (1762-1836), a well known Joseon scholar and writer of the school of Silhak, noticed that those identities can be derived through algebra and then wrote Gugo Wonlyu (勾股源流) in the early 19th century. We show that Jeong reveals the algebraic structure of polynomials with the three indeterminates in the book along with their order structure. Although the title refers to right triangles, it is the first pure algebra book in Joseon mathematics, if not in East Asia.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2015

Although systems with finite capacities have been the topic of much study, there are as of yet no analytic expressions for (higher) moment and tail probability of stationary waiting times in systems with even constant processing times. The normal queueing theory cannot properly handle such systems due to the difficulties caused by finite capacity. In this study, for a DBR (Drum-Buffer-Rope) line production system with constant processing times, we introduce analytic expressions by using previous results obtained using a max-plus algebraic approach.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.353-368
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• 2003

Analogy, based on a similarity, is to infer the properties of the similar object from properties of an object. It can be a very useful thinking tool for learning mathematical patterns and laws, noticing on relational properties among various situations. The purpose of this study, when manipulating hint condition, figure and table conditions and the amount of original learning by using algebra word problems, is to verify the effects of analogical transfer in solving equivalent, isomorphic and similar problems according to the similarity of source problems and target ones. Five study questions were set up for the above purpose. It was 354 first grade students of S and G middle schools in Seoul that were experimented for this study. The data was processed by MANOVA analysis of statistical program, SPSS 10.0. The results of this studies would indicate that most of the students would be poor at solving isomorphic and similar problems in the performance of analogical transfer according to the similarity of source and target problems. Hints, figure and table conditions did not facilitate the analogical transfer. Merely, on the condition that amount of teaming was increased, analogical transfer of the students was facilitated. Therefore, it is necessary to have students do much more analogical problem-solving experience to improve their analogical reasoning ability through the instruction program development in the educational fields.