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RESEARCH PAPER
The Role of Cognitive Factors in Year Five Pupils' Algebraic Thinking: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis
1
School of Mathematical Sciences, Sunway University, MALAYSIA
Publication date: 2021-01-20
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2021;17(1):em1935
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Algebraic thinking in children can bridge the cognitive gap between arithmetic and algebra. This
quantitative study aimed to develop and test a cognitive model that examines the cognitive
factors influencing algebraic thinking among Year Five pupils. A total of 720 Year Five pupils from
randomly selected national schools in Malaysia participated in this study. Two mathematics
instruments were used to evaluate the participants’ number, symbol, operation, and pattern
senses and their algebraic thinking respectively. Data was analysed using a structural equation
modelling and Partial Least Squares regression. The results indicated that the proposed cognitive
factors influence algebraic thinking significantly, with the most influential factor being symbol
sense followed by pattern sense, number sense, and operation sense. The finding implies that
educators should consider implementing activities related to these cognitive factors when
teaching mathematics to enhance the pupils’ transition from arithmetic to algebra.
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