ERIC Number: EJ1000865
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Oct
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0025-5769
EISSN: N/A
Teaching Absolute Value Meaningfully
Wade, Angela
Mathematics Teacher, v106 n3 p192-196, 198 Oct 2012
What is the meaning of absolute value? And why do teachers teach students how to solve absolute value equations? Absolute value is a concept introduced in first-year algebra and then reinforced in later courses. Various authors have suggested instructional methods for teaching absolute value to high school students (Wei 2005; Stallings-Roberts 1991; Friedlander and Hadas 1988), but this article focuses on an investigation that will help students make meaning of the absolute value equation in the context of a practical situation. It connects absolute value to the concepts of rate, time, distance, and slope. (Contains 6 figures.)
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical Concepts, Equations (Mathematics), Algebra, Concept Formation, Secondary School Mathematics
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A