COMMON AND FRUSTRATING

ALGEBRA MISTAKES

I. Exponential Form - students multiply the exponent by the base.

For example:

In this case, students do not understand the concept of exponents. They do not realize that the exponent represents the number of times that the base is listed as a factor.

II. Combining like terms - students add the variables as well as the coefficients

For example:

In this case, students have not grasp the concept of like terms. They are also confusing addition and multiplication.

III. Intercepts - students tend to graph the y-intercept on the x-axis.

For example: . The will graph the -1 on the x-axis and the 3 on the y-axis.

When students are graph the y-intercept on the x-axis they are showing that they really do not have a firm grasp on the coordinate plane and on the equation of a line. They are confused as to what the y-intercept is and how to graph it and then use the concept of slope to complete the graph.

IV. Changing of variables - students become extremely confused when ask to graph or even solve equations which contain variables other than x and y.

Here students do not understand that variables are just place holders. That they can represent any number. I feel that we as Algebra teachers need to incorporate different variables into equations so that students do not get the impression that the only variables used in Algebra or mathematics for that matter are x and y.