TOPIC: USING NUMBER LINES TO ASSIST BASIC 6 PUPILS OF DUNKWA ANGLICAN

TO OVERCOME THEIR DIFFICULTIES IN MULTIPLYING NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE

NUMBERS

By Godfred Asiedu Mireku – NaCCA

Contact: Godfred.mireku@nacca.gov.gh

ABSTRACT

This research aimed at assisting the basic 6 pupils of Dunkwa Anglican Basic School in the
Upper Denkyira East district of the Central Region, to multiply negative and positive numbers.
The research questions that guided the study were; (1) to what extent can the use of number line
help basic 6 pupils of Dunkwa Anglican Basic School to identify negative and positive numbers?
(2) in what ways would the use of number line help basic 6 pupils to multiply a negative number
by a positive number? (3) to what extent would the use of a number line help basic 6 pupils of
Dunkwa Anglican Basic School to multiply negative numbers by negative numbers? The study
used purposive sampling technique to select a sample size of thirty-five (35) pupils; eighteen
(18) boys and seventeen (17) girls. The study used an action research design and a case study
research design. The instrument used for the study was a test (pretest and posted). The pupils’
scores obtained from the tests were recorded, analyzed and presented by using frequency and
percentages in tables. The pre-intervention and post-intervention findings revealed a remarkable
improvement in the pupils’ performance. The findings of this research indicated that the use of
number line; a teaching and learning materials and group discussion technique helped pupils to
multiply negative and positive. It was recommended that teachers consider the use of number
lines, teaching and learning materials and discussion techniques during instructional periods
more than the lecture method to sustain pupils’ interest as well as enhance performance in
mathematics.