ERIC Number: EJ1290343
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Mar
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0025-5769
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Opportunities of No-Solution Problems
Gilbertson, Nicholas J.
Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12, v114 n3 p205-211 Mar 2021
When one sets out to solve a mathematics problem, a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment comes with finding the answer and knowing it is correct. In contrast, a student performing the correct process to solve an algebra equation and getting an answer such as 3 = 0 may be left perplexed and not understanding what--if anything--he or she did incorrectly. Throughout the middle-grades curriculum and beyond, students encounter situations where no solution appears, and students must grapple with understanding this often peculiar result. In the moment, these problems can frustrate students. These problems, however, also created important resolution when handled effectively, and they allowed students to engage in reasoning and deepening their understanding of mathematics content. Whereas some may like to avoid problems with no solution, in this article, the author describes the potential opportunities that no-solution problems offer for students in the mathematics classroom.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Algebra, Equations (Mathematics), Problem Solving, Middle School Students, Task Analysis, Teaching Methods, Middle School Mathematics
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-9840; Fax: 703-476-2570; e-mail: nctm@nctm.org; Web site: https://pubs.nctm.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A