Challenges in teaching and learning algebraic inequalities

Although there are a lot of research about students’ misconception and errors in doing mathematic and in spite of changes in mathematics curriculum, students continue to misunderstand and to make many errors. Maybe it could be said that algebra and especially equations and inequalities have maximum number of these misconceptions in all branches of mathematics. So in this paper we begin with different methods of teaching algebraic inequalities, identify different methods of students’ thinking about them and characterize prevailing students’ errors and misconceptions in this area. In doing this research, we find that with using different representations for algebraic inequalities and different methods for solving them teachers can create opportunity for students to reflect on their misconceptions and this will help them to decrease their errors and misconceptions.