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Visualizing rectangular solids made of small cubes: Analyzing and effecting students' performance

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Abstract

This study presents evidence which suggests that students in grades 5 through 8 have difficulty relating isometric type drawings to the rectangular solids they represent. Items of the sort “How many cubes does it take to build a given (pictorially presented) rectangular solid” were used. The errors made by students were analyzed and the effect of instruction in spatial visualization activities on the performance of middle school students was assessed. The findings were examined relative to their practical teaching implications.

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Ben-Haim, D., Lappan, G. & Houang, R.T. Visualizing rectangular solids made of small cubes: Analyzing and effecting students' performance. Educ Stud Math 16, 389–409 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00417194

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