Prospective mathematics teachers’ experiences with an alternative approach to solving quadratic equations

Aysel Şen Zeytun

doi:10.29333/iejme/18779

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Aysel Şen Zeytun ¹ ^*

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¹ Maltepe University, İstanbul, TÜRKİYE^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Reliance on formulas and memorization has often been reported, leading to difficulties in understanding quadratic equations. This study investigates how 22 prospective mathematics teachers perform and reflect when solving quadratic equations using an alternative approach proposed by Po-Shen Loh—an intuitive and efficient strategy. Data were collected from worksheets and semi-structured interviews with seven participants. Analysis revealed that while many did not fully grasp the conceptual foundation of the method, they could follow procedural steps to reach solutions. The method was largely understood procedurally rather than conceptually, with participants sometimes reverting to memorized strategies. Misconceptions emerged around ideas such as the arithmetic mean, particularly with negative values. This study presents an alternative solution strategy to prospective teachers and encourages reflection on its purpose and application. The findings suggest that this approach could be incorporated into high school and university level algebra curricula.

Keywords

mathematics education
algebra education
prospective mathematics teachers
quadratic equations
alternative solution methods

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INT ELECT J MATH ED, Volume 21, Issue 3, August 2026, Article No: em0886

https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18779

Publication date: 01 Jul 2026

Online publication date: 18 Jun 2026

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Article Downloads: 5

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How to cite this article

APA

Şen Zeytun, A. (2026). Prospective mathematics teachers’ experiences with an alternative approach to solving quadratic equations. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 21(3), em0886. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18779

Vancouver

Şen Zeytun A. Prospective mathematics teachers’ experiences with an alternative approach to solving quadratic equations. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2026;21(3):em0886. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18779

AMA

Şen Zeytun A. Prospective mathematics teachers’ experiences with an alternative approach to solving quadratic equations. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2026;21(3), em0886. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18779

Chicago

Şen Zeytun, Aysel. "Prospective mathematics teachers’ experiences with an alternative approach to solving quadratic equations". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education 2026 21 no. 3 (2026): em0886. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18779

Harvard

Şen Zeytun, A. (2026). Prospective mathematics teachers’ experiences with an alternative approach to solving quadratic equations. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 21(3), em0886. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18779

MLA

Şen Zeytun, Aysel "Prospective mathematics teachers’ experiences with an alternative approach to solving quadratic equations". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, vol. 21, no. 3, 2026, em0886. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/18779