Applications of Research to Practice
Promoting a Substitutive Conception of the Equal Sign
Ana C. Stephens, Lauren E. Anthony, Andrea Marquardt Donovan, Percival G. Matthews, & Martha W. Alibali
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Abstract
This article focuses on the substitutive conception of the equal sign. It describes how the substitutive conception is related to a sameness conception of the equal sign and why the substitutive conception is important, highlighting its connection to algebraic reasoning. The article promotes fostering the substitutive conception in instruction and provides suggestions for activities to help develop this conception in students. These activities include using substitution to find “visible sameness,” using substitution to solve open number sentences with strategically chosen numbers, and reframing the simplification of algebraic expressions as substitution.
Ana C. Stephens, Lauren E. Anthony, Andrea Marquardt Donovan, Percival G. Matthews, & Martha W. Alibali
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Abstract
This article focuses on the substitutive conception of the equal sign. It describes how the substitutive conception is related to a sameness conception of the equal sign and why the substitutive conception is important, highlighting its connection to algebraic reasoning. The article promotes fostering the substitutive conception in instruction and provides suggestions for activities to help develop this conception in students. These activities include using substitution to find “visible sameness,” using substitution to solve open number sentences with strategically chosen numbers, and reframing the simplification of algebraic expressions as substitution.
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