Mathematics for Dyslexics and Dyscalculics, 4th Edition

12Operating with Fractions

Introduction

Work with simple fractions epitomises the assertion that, ‘Mathematics is easy, only writing it down is hard’. For example, as we shall show, it is very easy to make 3 + 1 into 4 using the paper‐folding model advocated in this book for introducing fractions, but the written version, which carries with it a complex and thus difficult to explain algorithm, seems very difficult indeed by comparison. The work in this chapter is designed to link the ‘doing’ with the ‘writing down’ with the aim of making them equally easy. The paper‐folding model also provides a visual and kinaesthetic image to help the student recall and use the algorithm correctly.

As in Chapter 11, the ideas illustrated and validated by using paper folding show the student what the written version should be, so that the written version of the problem relates directly to the concrete and visual demonstrations. Thus, whenever the written problem proves to be difficult there will be a parallel paper‐folding procedure or visual image to support understanding and thus memory.

Here, as elsewhere in this book, the structure brought out by these models and procedures is intended to contribute ...