The Ability of Pre-Service Primary Teachers to Produce Figural Patterns Based on Algebraic Formulas

Year 2017, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 261 - 283, 17.07.2017

Çiğdem Kılıç

https://doi.org/10.16949/turkbilmat.329067

Abstract

In this study, the participants were asked to create
figural patterns (figural representations) of two sequences, where the
presentation is in the form of an algebraic formula. Those algebraic formulas
were representing linear and quadratic (non-linear) patterns, in which
pre-service primary teachers were asked to generate figural patterns based on
those algebraic formulas. In total, 127 pre-service primary teachers
participated in the study. The obtained data were analysed at two levels
including both semantic and descriptive analyzes. The results of the study
indicated that of 127 participants, 88 could generate a correct figural pattern
of some kind for the given arithmetic sequence expressed via a linear function
of n, while 72 were able to do so for the given non-linear sequence expressed
via a quadratic function of n. Follow-up individual interviews were conducted
with 9 volunteer participants, reflecting a cross-section of types of
responses, including some who were unable to respond and had some issues.

Keywords

Algebraic formula, figural pattern, linear pattern, non-linear pattern

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