Analyzing Problems Posed by Seventh Grade Middle School Students for Subtraction Operation with Fractions

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine potential errors, which might be experienced by seventh grade middle school students related to the problems posed by them about the subtraction operation with fractions. The study was conducted with 143 students studying at six middle schools existing in Erzurum. Problem posing test composed of four items about the subtraction operation with
fractions was used as a data collection tool. The answers given by the students were classified in accordance with the categories of problem, not a problem and empty. Then, the errors in the answers within the category of problem were analyzed. Twelve errors were determined in the problems posed by the students. Moreover, students made more errors in posing problems about the subtraction operations with fractions which the minuend and subtrahend fractions are mixed fractions.