For eg: 21 divide by 2 is 10.5, but many times children end up with 1.5 as the answer
2006-09-09 21:41:54 · 6 answers · asked by quantum_dot 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I suspect this error is possible because the child is not learning maths, but merely pattern recognition. If the child learn numbers and calculation the mathematical way, she (from my experience, higher chance is a she) would know 1.5 is very unlikely to be the answer, since it is so much smaller than what would be expected for when a value near to 20 is divided by 2.
While if she were pattern reconizing, 1.5, 10.5, 15, 15.0 are similar patterns.
I recommend more focus needed on the 'feeling' of values and their representations using arabic numbers. I think more practices on estimation might help. E.g. ask them to estimate, using their perception on the values that are represented by numbers to give rough descriptions of the answer. E.g. before applying method to exactly calculate the value of 21/2, ask them to describe the answer. Will it be bigger than 21? Will it be smaller than 2, will it be near to 0, 10, 20, 30, etc.? Will there be decimals? etc.
Another advice, forbid the use of calculators! Lower the importance of getting the exact answer.
Just to share, I was amazed when a 20+ year-old working adult couldn't figure out why 3/2=1.5, but can tell you in split seconds that a meal that cost $3.00 shared by 2 persons means each has to pay $1.50! Why, 3/2 is so different from 1.5, and he probably find it complicated to rationalize the pattern-transformation inorder to transform 3/2 to 1.5, but $3.00 and $1.50 are money to him, not numbers, and he has good sense of money :)
2006-09-09 22:43:36 · answer #1 · answered by back2nature 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dividing is quite a complex subject for children.
2006-09-10 05:52:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's decimal! But have you taken then to an eye doctor? They might need glases!! I have a son, we use to call him and call him. We thought he just wanted attention. The doctor had to replace a pipe between the two ears!!
2006-09-10 04:46:05 · answer #3 · answered by alfonso 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In general it is known as Parallax defect. Even elders do this mistake. Mostly they interchange numbers.
E.g. 170 may be wrongly written as 107
or 1.07 may be wrongly written as 10.7
2006-09-10 05:01:56 · answer #4 · answered by psmurty2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well.... firstly.... like you said THEY ARE CHILDREN they are growing up and learning.... and without mistakes there's no learning..... well.... they got to be neat when they do they're dividing.... like.... they're numbers must be in order decimal to decimal number to number like that..... and it's common sense.... 1.5 is such a small number....
2006-09-10 04:46:42 · answer #5 · answered by leokrazee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why talking and explaining too much? they are just children so dont expect them to perfect it.
2006-09-10 06:47:00 · answer #6 · answered by hanna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋