This essay extends beyond the characteristics and discourse of word problems to, more generally, school mathematical problem-solving and the implications entailed by a predominant paper-and-pencil mode of learning and instruction since the modern era of education. Contrasting what I call "one-handed" (with paper-and-pencil) with…

Much of the education research on implicit differentiation and related rates treats the topic of differentiating equations as an unproblematic application of the chain rule. This paper instead problematizes the legitimacy of this procedure. It develops a conceptual analysis aimed at exploring how a student might come to understand when and why one…

The aim of this article is to advise readers that natural numbers may be introduced as ordinal numbers or cardinal numbers and that there is an ongoing discussion about which come first. In addition, through several examples, the authors demonstrate that in the process of answering the question "How many?" one may, if convenient, use…

"Where Mathematics Comes From" (Lakoff & Núñez 2000) proposed that mathematical concepts such as arithmetic and counting are constructed cognitively from embodied metaphors of actions on physical objects, and four actions, or 'grounding metaphors' in particular: collecting, stepping, constructing and measuring. This article argues…

In Norway, children are encouraged to pose a problem that they can solve using an arithmetical calculation. This is known as 'regnefortelling'. During a larger project, we became interested in a small group of "regnefortelling" which used unusual contexts, contexts that made us uneasy and invoked a feeling of uncertainty about how we…

How children perceive doubling and halving numbers is discussed, with many examples. The use of calculators is integrated. The tendency to avoid division if other ways of solving a problem can be found was noted. (MNS)

Proposes a framework that identifies the components of number sense and the attributes of students who possess it. Discusses various aspects of three areas where number sense plays a key role: number concepts, operations with numbers, and applications of number and operation. (MDH)

This paper on the language of zero (1) deals with the spoken and written symbols used to convey the concepts of zero; (2) considers computational algorithms and the exception behavior of zero which illustrate much language of and about zero; and (3) the historical evolution of the language of zero. (JN)

Presents a number of transcript examples of correct and incorrect transferences by children. Considers the objects of transference including spoken words, written symbols, models and diagrams, arithmetic procedures, and structures. Discusses the use of transference in arithmetic education. (YP)

The conceptual difference between understanding and algorithmic performance is examined first. Then some dilemmas that flow from these distinctions are discussed. (MNS)

The relation between mathematical and computational aspects of recursion are discussed and some examples analyzed. Definition, proof, and construction are considered, as well as their counterparts in computer languages (illustrated with Logo procedures). (MNS)

Pre-experimental interviews conducted with three children to investigate three aspects of the nature of counting are detailed. Sixteen findings related to the counting of perceptual items are summarized. (MP)

Investigates children's behaviors and conceptual achievements in the transition from informal calculation strategies to a written division algorithm. Describes five different strategies observed in the solution of division problems. Discusses the implications of the children's behavior. (YP)