What misconceptions do children have about expressions such as 4+8 and the equal sign that can cause difficulty working with equations?
Hi Sarah I just asked the same question... lol ... how are things going to the H.W.
Hey Mike .... we thinking alike ... see you in class tmr
Please see the answer I gave Mike.
Children often have several misconceptions about expressions such as 4+8 and the equal sign that can cause difficulty working with equations. Some common misconceptions include:
1. Equal sign means "the answer is coming":
One common misconception is that the equal sign indicates the answer to the problem or the next step. Children may think that the equal sign serves as a signal to perform some magical operation, resulting in the final answer. This misconception can make it difficult for them to understand that the equal sign means the left side of the equation is equal to the right side.
To address this misconception, it is important to emphasize that the equal sign means that both sides of the equation have the same value. Encourage students to think of it as a balance scale, where both sides need to be equal.
2. Equal sign as an action:
Children may also think of the equal sign as an action, rather than a symbol representing equality. They might perceive that the equal sign represents "getting an answer" or "doing something." This can lead to confusion when solving more complex equations.
To correct this misconception, it is helpful to explain that the equal sign merely represents that both sides of the equation have the same value. Encourage students to understand that solving an equation means finding the value that makes both sides equal.
3. Lack of understanding of addition and subtraction:
Young children might have a misconception that adding numbers always results in a bigger number, and subtracting always results in a smaller number. This can cause difficulty when working with expressions like 4+8 or when dealing with negative numbers.
To address this misconception, it is important to provide concrete examples and real-world contexts, helping children understand that addition can result in smaller numbers (e.g., below sea level), and subtraction can lead to bigger numbers (e.g., determining the gain in an investment).
Addressing these misconceptions requires explicit instruction, hands-on activities, and consistent reinforcement of the concepts. It is crucial to help children understand the meaning of the equal sign and develop a solid foundation in basic arithmetic operations to avoid difficulties in working with equations. Using visual aids, manipulatives, and real-world examples can greatly aid in clarifying these concepts.