Modeling and quantitative reasoning: The summer jobs problem

Abstract

According to Smith and Thompson (Algebra in early grades, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, in press), "problem situations involving related quantities serve as the true source and ground for the development of algebraic methods" (p. 4). This study investigates the ways in which students reason about real-world problem situations involving related quantities. This study explores the role of quantities and quantitative reasoning in students' development of a solution to an open-ended real-world modeling task known as the "Summer Jobs" problem (Lesh and Lehrer, Handbook of research design in mathematics and science education (pp. 665-708). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2000). © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.