Form IV Junior Lyceum pupils' understanding of quadratic equations

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the understanding of quadratic equations at form IV level by junior lyceum students. Hence, a girls' and a boys' junior lyceum school have been chosen for this study. The first part of this dissertation deals with a review of the literature on algebra in general, equations and quadratic expressions. In the second chapter, the methodology used in this dissertation is thoroughly described. The study then proceeds with the administration of a test paper on the solution of quadratic equations and word problems leading to quadratic equations. Different schemas the students used in their solutions have been identified and discussed. Other common incorrect responses have been analysed and conclusions to what might have caused such mistakes are drawn. A further section deals with the analysis of the interviews administered to a sample of the students who sat for the test. These interviews were an extra help in analysing some of the common mistakes in the students' workings. In the last chapter of this dissertation some overall conclusions are listed, together with recommendations for teaching quadratic equations and a list of further studies which could be made in this area.