Understanding as Quantity of Numerical values in Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Graders

Abstract

In teaching intensive quantity, it is important to properly understand the meaning of numerical values as quantity. Understanding the meaning of the quantity also requires understanding its unit. However, arithmetic education discusses extensive quantity such as length and weight, but not intensive quantity, operations between units, and expression in units. This study was conducted in January 2017, with the aim of obtaining suggestions on teaching intensive quantity. Fourth (n=131), fifth (n=122), and sixth (n=130) graders participated in this study. Their understanding of meaning and unit of quantity was examined using investigation problem regarding second term of three kinds of intensive quantity. Participants were asked to solve three problems about intensive quantity. Results showed that although the success rate was high, some participants solved the problems without grasping the meaning of the numerical value.