Investigation of Middle School Students’ Estimation Ability with Fractions

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the middle school students’ estimation ability with fractions according to some independent variables such as mathematics achievement, gender, grade level and procedural achievement with fractions. The sample consisted of 683 middle school students. The data were collected by estimation with fractions and computation with fractions tests which were developed by the researchers. Results of the study indicated that the students’ estimation achievement was very low. There was a statistically significant and middle level positive relationship between the estimation and computation achievements as well as between the estimation and mathematics achievements. It was found that as the grade level increased, students’ estimation test scores increased. Estimation achievement of the 7th and 8th grade students were statistically higher than that of the 6th grade students. In addition, it was found that students’ gender did not have an effect on the estimation ability with fractions.