Students' Responses To Different Representations Of A Vector Addition Question

TL;DR

This study examines how different visual representations of vectors influence students' choice of addition methods, revealing that graphical arrangement impacts method selection while grid presence does not.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the visual arrangement of vectors significantly affects students' addition methods, highlighting the importance of representation in teaching vector addition.

Findings

Vector arrangement influences method choice in algebra-based students

Grid presence does not significantly affect addition methods

Visual representation impacts students' understanding of vector addition

Abstract

We investigate if the visual representation of vectors can affect which methods students use to add them. We gave students one of four questions with different graphical representations, asking students to add the same two vectors. For students in an algebra-based class the arrangement of the vectors had a statistically significant effect on the vector addition method chosen while the addition or removal of a grid did not.