PME-NA

Division Model and Divisor Type Lead to Trade-Offs in Fraction Division Performance

• In Event: Poster Session #1
  In Poster Session: Division Model and Divisor Type Lead to Trade-Offs in Fraction Division Performance

Description

This study examined how division model (i.e., quotitive, partitive) and divisor type (i.e., whole number, fraction) influence adults’ fraction division performance. Prior research suggests that quotitive division elicits measurement concepts and partitive division activates sharing schemes. Divisor type has also been shown to influence the strategies selected to solve fraction division problems. Eighty undergraduates (N = 80) solved 24 fraction division problems couched in either quotitive or partitive contexts. Results revealed a significant division model by divisor type interaction. Performance was higher on quotitive division problems when the divisor was a fraction compared to a whole number, whereas on partitive division problems, higher performance was observed when the divisor was a whole number compared to a fraction. These findings highlight that division model and divisor type lead to trade-offs in solution strategies. Educators can use this knowledge to make more informed decisions about the content of their fraction lessons.

Authors

• Alison Tellos, Concordia University

• Helena P. Osana, Concordia University

• Pooja Gupta Sidney, University of Kentucky