Pattern Recognition Concept in Learning Negative Numbers Subtraction Operation

The aim of this study was to investigate whether pattern recognition concept can be used to help leaners learn to devise a thinking process in solving negative numbers subtraction operation. A survey was conducted involving 30 students aged 11 years old from a primary school in Malaysia. The investigation was segregated into five activities involving three tasks and each task were further segregated into two types. The time taken to conduct this investigation was two and half hours. The findings revealed that for Task 1: Type I and Type II, (90%); Task 2: Type I and Type II, (100%); and Task 3: Type I (100%) and Type II (65%) students were able to devise a thinking process in solving that arrives at a correct answer. This investigation shows that pattern recognition concept can be used to help leaners learn to devise a thinking process in solving negative numbers subtraction operation but further instigation need to be conducted to identify the reasons for such results. Nevertheless, this study integrated computational thinking concept into Mathematics pedagogical aspect and opened a new area for further studies in visualization of information.