RESEARCH PAPER
Undergraduate students’ conceptualization of elementary row operations in solving systems of linear equations
 
 
More details
Hide details
1
Faculty of Educational Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, SOUTH AFRICA
 
 
Online publication date: 2023-06-11
 
 
Publication date: 2023-11-01
 
 
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2023;19(11):em2349
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The concept of systems of linear equations (SLEs) is fundamental and core in linear algebra, a subject, which has many applications in a number of disciplines. Gaussian elimination is a versatile method, which can be used to solve almost all types of SLEs by using row-reductions. This study focused on exploring undergraduate students’ conceptualizations of elementary row operations (EROs) as a means to solve SLEs. The purpose of this study was to explore undergraduate students’ conceptualizations of row reductions and their applications to the solutions of systems of equations. The perspectives of the action-process-object-schema theoretical framework were used in analyzing data and discussing the findings. To explore the students’ conceptualization of EROs, a descriptive research approach was followed. I considered a case study of 131 students registered for a mathematics for educators course, where linear algebra was one of the topics. The findings revealed that students attained the action conception of reducing a system with unique solutions but had challenges reducing and interpreting solutions to a system with non-unique solutions. The latter row-reduction implored process and object conceptions especially when variable elements in the augmented matrix were involved. As students find the learning of linear algebra difficult, this study contributes to the debate in literature on how to improve its teaching and make suggestions on the ways make more effective the learning of linear algebra.
REFERENCES (42)
1.
Altieri, M., & Schirmer, E. (2019). Learning the concept of eigenvalues and eigenvectors: A comparative analysis of achieved concept construction in linear algebra using APOS theory among students from different educational backgrounds. ZDM, 51, 1125-1140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858....
 
2.
Arnawa, I. M., Yerizon, & Nita, S., (2019). Errors and misconception in learning system of linear equations. In Proceeding of the 5th International Conference on Mathematics, Science, and Education. UNNES. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6....
 
3.
Arnon, I., Cottrill, J., Dubinsky, E., Oktac, A., Fuentes, S. R., Trigueros, M., & Weller, K. (2014). APOS theory: A framework for research and curriculum development in mathematics education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-....
 
4.
Asiala, M., Brown, A., DeVries, D., Dubinsky, E., Mathews, D., & Thomas, K. (1996). A framework for research and curriculum development in undergraduate mathematics education. Research in Collegiate Mathematics Education II, CBMS Issues in Mathematics Education, 6, 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1090/cbmath....
 
5.
Chagwiza, C.J., Sunzuma, G., & Mutambara, L.H.N. (2021). Exploring Zimbabwean a-level mathematics learners’ understanding of the determinant concept. European Journal of Mathematics and Science Education, 2(2), 85-100. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmse....
 
6.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE.
 
7.
Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. (2011). Further education and training phase mathematics. Government Printers.
 
8.
Dewi, I. L. K., Zaenuri, Dwijanto, & Mulyono. (2021). Identification of mathematics prospective teachers’ conceptual understanding in determining solutions of linear equation systems. European Journal of Educational Research, 10(3), 1157-1170. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-je....
 
9.
Dorier, J. L., Robert, A., Robinet, J., & Rogalski, M. (2000). The obstacle of formalism in linear algebra. In J. L. Dorier (Ed.), On the teaching of linear algebra (pp. 85-125). Kluwer Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-....
 
10.
Dubinsky E., & McDonald M. A. (2001). APOS: A constructivist theory of learning in undergraduate mathematics education research. In D. Holton, M. Artigue, U. Kirchgräber, J. Hillel, M. Niss, & A. Schoenfeld (Eds.), The teaching and learning of mathematics at university level. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-....
 
11.
Gharib, S., Ali, S. R., Khan, R., & Munir, N. (2015). System of linear equations, Gaussian elimination. Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology: Software & Data Engineering, 15(5).
 
12.
Harel, G. (2017). The learning and teaching of linear algebra: Observations and generalizations. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 46, 69-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat....
 
13.
John, H., Sepideh, S., & Michael, T. (2016). Developing conceptual understanding and definitional clarity in linear algebra through the three worlds of mathematical thinking. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 35(4), 216-235. https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat....
 
14.
Karunakaran, S. S., & Higgins, A. (2021). Research in undergraduate mathematics education reports. Mathematical Association of America.
 
15.
Kazunga, C., & Bansilal, S. (2017). Zimbabwean in-service mathematics teachers’ understanding of matrix operations. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 47, 81-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat....
 
16.
Kazunga, C., & Bansilal, S. (2020). An APOS analysis of solving systems of equations using the inverse matrix method. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 103, 339-358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649....
 
17.
Kilpatrick, J. (2001). Adding it up: Helping children learn mathematics. National Academy Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9822.
 
18.
Kontorovich, I. (2020). Theorems or procedures? Exploring undergraduates’ methods to solve routine problems in linear algebra. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 32, 589-605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394....
 
19.
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2021). Practical research planning and design. Pearson.
 
20.
Liu, C. (2015). An algorithm with m -step residual history for solving linear equations: Data interpolation by a multi-shape-factors RBF. Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 51, 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enga....
 
21.
Makonye, J. P. (2012). Learner errors on calculus tasks in the NSC examinations: Towards an analytical protocol for learner perturbable concepts in introductory differentiation. The International Journal of Learning Annual Review, 18(6), 339-356. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-....
 
22.
Mandal, A., Cherukuru, B., & Rani, P.Y. (2021). A study of investigating the best method to solve linear system of equations and its applications. The International Journal of Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis, 13(6), 487-496.
 
23.
Martin, W., Loch, S, Cooley, L., Dexter, S., & Vidakovic, D. (2010). Integrating learning theories and application-based modules in teaching linear algebra. Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 432, 2089-2099. https://doi.org/10.1016/10.101....
 
24.
Mutambara, L. H. N., & Bansilal, S. (2018). Dealing with the abstraction of vector space concepts. In S. Stewart, C. Andrews-Larson, A. Berman, & M. Zandieh (Eds.), Challenges and strategies in teaching linear algebra. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-....
 
25.
Mutambara, L. H. N., & Bansilal, S. (2022). Misconceptions and resulting errors displayed by in service teachers in the learning of linear independence. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 17(4), em0716. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme....
 
26.
Ndlovu, Z., & Brijlall, D. (2015). Pre-service teachers’ mental constructions of concepts in matrix algebra. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(2), 156-171. https://doi.org/10.1080/102884....
 
27.
Ndlovu, Z., & Brijlall, D. (2016). Pre-service mathematics teachers’ mental constructions of the determinant concept. International Journal of Educational Sciences, 14(1-2), 145-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/097511....
 
28.
Oktac, A. (2018). Conceptions about system of linear equations and solution. In S. Stewart, C. Andrews-Larson, A. Berman, & M. Zandieh (Eds.), Challenges and strategies in teaching linear algebra. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-....
 
29.
Oktac, A., Trigueros, M., & Romo, A. (2019). APOS theory: Connecting research and teaching. For the Learning of Mathematics, 39(1), 33-37.
 
30.
Plaxco, D., & Wawro, M. (2015). Analyzing student understanding in linear algebra through mathematical activity. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 38, 87-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat....
 
31.
Possani, E., Trigueros, M., Preciado, J. G., & Lozano, M. D. (2009). Use of models in the teaching of linear algebra. Linear Algebra and its Applications, 432, 2125-2140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.laa.....
 
32.
Radu, I., & Weber, K. (2011). Refinements in mathematics undergraduate students’ reasoning on completed infinite iterative processes. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 78, 165-180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649- 011-9318-1.
 
33.
Rindu, A. F. (2017). Using MATLAB to help students understand Gauss-Jordan methods. ANGKASA Jurnal Ilmiah Bidang Teknologi [ANGKASA Scientific Journal of Technology], 9(2), 75-85. https://doi.org/10.28989/angka....
 
34.
Salgado, H., & Trigueros, M. (2015). Teaching eigenvalues and eigenvectors using models and APOS theory. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 39, 100-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat....
 
35.
Sepideh, S., & Michael, O. J. T. (2010). Student learning of basis, span and linear independence in linear algebra. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 41(2), 173-188. https://doi.org/10.1080/002073....
 
36.
Siahaan, M. M. L., Fitriani, F., & Manek, P. (2023). Hypothetical learning trajectory: To determine the solution of linear equation system in elementary row operation. Mathline: Jurnal Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika [Mathline: Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics Education], 8(1), 246-255. https://doi.org/10.31943/mathl....
 
37.
Smith, L., & Powell, J. (2011). An alternative method to Gauss-Jordan elimination: Minimizing fraction arithmetic. The Mathematics Educator, 20(2), 44-50.
 
38.
Srinivasan, K., Behera, B. K., & Panigrahi, P. K. (2017). Solving linear systems of equations by Gaussian elimination method using Grover’s search algorithm: An IBM quantum experience. Quantum Physics. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv....
 
39.
Tai, P. A. (2020). Actions, processes, objects, schemas (APOS) in mathematics education: A case study for matrix operations. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology, 11(11), 1115-1122.
 
40.
Tall, D. (2004). Thinking through three worlds of mathematics. In Proceedings of the 28th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (pp. 281-288).
 
41.
Tatira, B. (2023). Students’ cognition of the induction step in proving inequality propositions. Journal of Medives: Journal of Mathematics Education IKIP Veteran Semarang, 7(2), 203-218. https://doi.org/10.31331/mediv....
 
42.
Voskoglou, M. G. (2015). Fuzzy logic in the APOS/ACE instructional treatment for mathematics. American Journal of Educational Research, 3(3), 330-339. https://doi.org/10.12691/educa....
 
eISSN:1305-8223
ISSN:1305-8215
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top