Students’ Understanding of Elementary Algebra in Indian School

Mohd. Mamur Ali 
(Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Education, Jamia Millia Isalmia, New Delhi 11002, India)

Abstract: This paper describes and presents the findings of a study which aimed to trace the pupil’s understanding of algebraic concepts, i.e., linear equation with one variable and related cognitive difficulties in solving linear equations. Forty (40) pupils of seventh grade were involved as the participants of this study. The data collected through a set of problems (24 linear equations) with individualized in-depth interview reveals that the children who come across algebra for the first time often have problems in understanding the unknown/variable, with equal sign and algebraic linear equations. The research also shows that though the children have procedural knowledge to solve the equations, they face difficulties in solving the equations having unknown as a subtrahend or divisor and having unknown at different positions.

Key words: Algebra, understanding, linear equation, difficulties