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RESEARCH PAPER
Grade 9 Mathematics Learners’ Strategies in Solving Number-Pattern Problems
1
University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Publication date: 2020-05-10
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2020;16(7):em1862
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Many Grade 9 mathematics learners face difficulties in solving number-pattern problems due to
insufficient exposure to strategies in solving such problems. The aim of this exploratory qualitative
study was to investigate Grade 9 mathematics learners’ strategies in solving number-pattern
problems. The problem-solving conceptual framework of Singer and Voica (2013) highlighting
four indicators, namely decoding, representing, processing and implementing, underpinned the
study. Ninety Grade 9 learners were purposively selected from three rural schools (30 from each
school) to participate. Qualitative data were collected through a written activity and semi-structured one-on-one interviews. The study found that learners utilise four main strategies to
solve number-pattern problems, namely (1) direct counting; (2) direct proportion; (3) recursive
strategy; and (4) mental image representation. Knowledge about learners’ strategies can assist
teachers in their pedagogies to teach number-pattern problems. The study adds to the research
on problem solving, specifically pertaining to number patterns.
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