PROCEEDINGS OF THE 16TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (Vol 2)
2013
Denver, Colorado
On the Plus Side: A Cognitive Model of Summation Notation
Page: 2-254
This paper provides a framework for analyzing and explaining successes and failures when working with summation notation. Cognitively, the task of interpreting a given summation-notation expression differs significantly from the task of expressing a long- hand sum using summation notation. As such, we offer separate cognitive models that 1) outline the mental steps necessary to carry out each of these types of tasks and 2) provide a framework for explaining why certain types of errors are made.