The understanding of the operations of addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction amongst high and low ability primary school students in Kenya

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Periodical article

Title:	The understanding of the operations of addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction amongst high and low ability primary school students in Kenya
Authors:	Waweru, G. Koske, J.K.
Year:	1991
Periodical:	Kenya Journal of Education
Volume:	5
Issue:	1
Pages:	75-83
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Kenya East Africa
Subjects:	academic achievement mathematics education primary education education students mathematics
Abstract:	The operations of addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction are basic to the teaching and learning of mathematics. The present study looks at the understanding of these four basic operations amongst high and low ability students in standard eight, the terminal stage of primary education in Kenya. The subjects were 574 students of both sexes from 12 randomly selected schools in the rural district of Kericho. Their mean age was 14.3 years. Two instruments were used. The first, a Mathematical Ability Test, was designed to identify high ability from low ability students. The second, the Science Achievement Test, was designed to test these two ability ranges in respect of addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction. The results of the study suggest that Kenyan primary school students have difficulty in understanding the four basic mathematical operations. Among low ability students the understanding of multiplication is superior to that of the other three operations. Bibliogr.