Understanding signed quantities and its arithmetic is one of the challenging topics of middle school mathematics. The "specialized content knowledge" (SCK) for teaching integers includes understanding of a variety of representations that may be used while teaching. In this study, we argue that meanings of integers and integer operations…

In this study I examined 19 preservice secondary mathematics teachers' solution processes to word problems for which the subtraction or addition of the two given numbers yields 1 more or 1 less than the correct solution. Among the aspects of their solution processes that were examined are: the modeling strategies, the type of errors, and the…

Analyzes the solution of additive problems involving negative numbers by prospective primary school teachers using surveys. Concludes that students feel no need to use negative numbers in the solution of additive problems and compares results of this study to another study of same content done on secondary school students. (ASK)