ERIC Number: EJ1155926
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0045-0685
EISSN: N/A
Finding Meaning in Mathematical Mnemonics
Miller, Geoffrey; Obara, Samuel
Australian Mathematics Teacher, v73 n3 p13-18 2017
A mathematical mnemonic is a visual cue or verbal strategy that is used to aid initial memorisation and recall of a mathematical concept or procedure. Used wisely, mathematical mnemonics can benefit students' performance and understanding. Explorations into how mathematical mnemonics work can also offer students opportunities to engage in proof and reasoning. This article will firstly illustrate how dissecting the so-called "butterfly method" for adding and subtracting fractions can deepen a student's comprehension of fraction arithmetic. Secondly, the article will exemplify how the same dissection process can be applied to other mathematical mnemonics.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Teaching Methods, Mnemonics, Learning Strategies, Recall (Psychology), Arithmetic, Addition, Subtraction, Fractions, Equations (Mathematics), Mathematical Logic, Problem Solving
Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT). GPO Box 1729, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Tel: +61-8-8363-0288; Fax: +61-8-8362-9288; e-mail: office@aamt.edu.au; Web site: http://www.aamt.edu.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A