Feasibility of Teaching Equivalent Simultaneous Linear Equations for Solving Quadratic Equations

This paper examined the feasibility of teaching the method of equivalent simultaneous linear equations (ELSE) in Senior High School 1. The study tried to find out if there is a significant difference between the scores of students who used ELSE and those who used the conventional method. Also, if students who used ELSE can remember and applied it as compared to those who used the conventional methods. A sample of 72 students Akro Secondary Technical School, Eastern Region of Ghana took part in this feasibility study and the sample consisted of 42 boys and 30 girls. The reliability coefficients of the tests were determined by the Cronbach Alpha method and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test was also used to test if the performance between both groups were significantly different or not. From the results, the reliability coefficients for all tests were above 70 percent. The results of the performance of the experimental group were better than that of the control group in test IV to VI. This showed that students in the experimental group learnt and remember the ELSE and applied it more than their counterpart in the control group. In conclusion, the ELSE has the power that overcomes the inherent problems of the conventional methods of solving quadratic equations. Therefore, the ELSE holds a promise for mathematics education. As a result, a nationwide study is recommended to verify on a large scale the feasibility of the ELSE and subsequent inclusion in the core mathematics curriculum to help solved the problem of solving quadratic equation.