EFFECT OF GEOGEBRA ON UNDERSTANDING NEGATIVE

NUMBERS
Riya Elizabeth J
B.Ed student (Mathematics)
Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education for Women Kottayam

Abstract

Many students struggle with negative numbers, which are important in mathematics. This study
aimed to see if a computer application called GeoGebra can help ninth- standard students
understand them better. This study checks if GeoGebra can improve the student’s ability to add
and subtract negative numbers. The study used an experimental design, giving students a test
before and after using GeoGebra. 11 students from a school took part in the study. A self-made
test with 15 questions is used to measure their understanding of negative numbers. Students used
GeoGebra to learn about adding and subtracting negative numbers. After learning with GeoGebra,
students took the same test again. Their scores improved significantly. This shows that GeoGebra
helped them learn negative numbers better. They understood addition and subtraction of negative
numbers more easily. GeoGebra made learning more visual and interactive. This study suggests
that using GeoGebra can be a helpful way to teach negative numbers.

KEY WORDS: GeoGebra, Negative numbers, Educational technology, Integers.

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics is the study of numbers, shapes, and patterns. It helps us to understand how things
work and solve problems in everyday life. We use mathematics to count, measure, and calculate
things like money, distance, and time in our everyday life. Numbers are the building blocks of
mathematics. It helps in everyday activities like counting, measuring and many more.

Mathematics has its importance in each stage of learning. Mathematics in secondary school is very
important because it helps students to develop problem-solving skills and logical thinking. It
teaches them how to analyze situations and make decisions based on facts.
Technology is one of the most inevitable resources in the study of mathematics. Technology in
mathematics means using tools like computers, calculators, and applications to help to solve
mathematics problems. These tools make it easier and faster to do calculations and understand
difficult concepts. For example, programs like GeoGebra can help us to learn shapes and graphs
by visualizing, while calculators can quickly add or multiply numbers.

THEORETICAL OVERVIEW

Negative Numbers

The number line represents two types of numbers. Positive numbers and negative numbers.

To the right of zero are the numbers we use for counting, like 1, 2, 3, and so on. These are called
positive numbers. Those on the left are called negative numbers. Negative numbers are like the
opposite of positive numbers. They represent values less than zero. We write them with a minus
sign in front, like -1, -2, -3.

GeoGebra

GeoGebra is an interactive Geometry, Algebra, Statistics and Calculus application, intended for
learning and teaching Mathematics and Science from primary school to university level. The aim
of GeoGebra in mathematics is to make learning mathematical concepts in a more interactive,
visual, and engaging way. The latest version of GeoGebra for Android is 5.2.877.0, as of February
26, 2025. The latest version of GeoGebra Classic is 6.0.845.0, as of June 10, 2024. GeoGebra
helps us draw shapes, graphs, and other math objects on a computer. This makes it easier to see
how math concepts work, rather than just reading about them. It combines geometry, algebra, and
calculus tools into one easy to use program.
Learning negative numbers using GeoGebra makes it easier and more fun. It shows negative
numbers on a number line, so students can clearly learn by visualizing. By moving the numbers
on the line, students can understand how adding or subtracting negative numbers changes. This
makes learning negative numbers easier and more enjoyable, helping students to understand the
concept better.

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE

Many ninth standard students struggle to understand negative numbers. Negative numbers are one
of the fundamental concepts in mathematics. Difficulty with this concept can make future learning
difficult. GeoGebra is a free online software used to learn mathematics through visual and
interactive learning. Thus, investigator felt to check whether using GeoGebra helps students learn
addition and subtraction of negative numbers better, so that it could lead to improved teaching
methods. If GeoGebra is effective, teachers can use it to make learning more engaging. This could
help students grasp negative numbers more easily. A better understanding of negative numbers
can improve student’s overall mathematical skills. Also comparing students who learn with
GeoGebra with those who learn using other methods will help determine if GeoGebra is a valuable
tool for teaching negative numbers. Along with this the advantages and challenges of using both
the methods of teaching negative numbers can be identified. That is, to find ways to make
mathematics more accessible and understandable for all students. Thus, the investigator conducted
an experimental study to find the effect of using GeoGebra on learning negative numbers among
ninth standard students.

OBJECTIVES

➢ To study the effect of using GeoGebra on negative numbers (Total)

➢ To study the effect of using GeoGebra on solving sum of negative numbers.
➢ To study the effect of using GeoGebra on solving difference of negative numbers.
➢ To study the effect of using GeoGebra on solving the combination of sum and difference
of negative numbers.
METHODOLOGY

Method and Design

The study was conducted using an experimental design, Pre-Test and Post- Test single group
design. The pre-test and a post-test were used to collect the scores, before and after the
interventions and the analysis was done based on these scores.

Tool and Materials Used

The tool used for the study was an achievement test consisting of 15 questions to compute and
given as pre-test and post-test. The first five questions were related to the addition of negative
numbers. The next five questions were related to the subtraction of negative numbers. The last five
questions were a combination of addition and subtraction. Correct answers to the questions were
given one mark each. The material used for the experimental group was lesson plans based on
GeoGebra.

Samples

The data for the study was collected from 11 students of ninth standard of Mount Carmel Girls
Higher Secondary school.

Data Collection

A tool was administrated in the beginning of the experiment. Then the experiment was conducted.
The classes about operation of negative numbers were taken with the help of GeoGebra. Finally,
a post-test was conducted using the same test and the scores of both the tests were collected and
scored.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

The study aims to find the effect of GeoGebra based instruction on learning the addition and
subtraction of negative numbers among ninth standard students. The sample size of 11 students
were considered for the study. Analyzing the scores the mean and standard deviation of each set
of scores are as follows:
Effect of instruction using GeoGebra on addition of negative numbers

Table 1

Mean and standard deviation of the pre-test and post-test scores related to addition

Sample size Mean Standard Deviation

Pre-Test 11 2.72 1.21
Post-Test 11 4.09 0.66
Analyzing the scores of the tests conducted related to the concept addition of negative numbers it
is found that, the mean score of the test conducted for the students (pre-test) has been improved in
the test conducted after using GeoGebra as an educational tool (post-test) from 2.72 to 4.09. The
bar chart of the mean score obtained by the students in the pre-test and post-test related to addition
is given in figure1.

Figure1:

Figure of the mean score of the pre-test and post-test related to addition.

Effect of instruction using GeoGebra on subtraction of negative numbers

Table 2

Mean and standard deviation of the pre-test and post-test scores related to subtraction

Sample size Mean Standard Deviation

Pre-Test 11 2.09 0.28
Post-Test 11 3.27 1.05
Analyzing the scores of the tests conducted related to the concept subtraction it is found that, the
mean score of the test conducted for the students (pre-test) has been improved in the test conducted
after using GeoGebra as an educational tool (post-test) from 2.09 to 3.27. The bar chart of the
mean score obtained by the students in the pre-test and post-test related to addition is given in
figure 2.

Figure2

Figure of the mean score of the pre-test and post-test related to subtraction.

Effect of instruction using GeoGebra on combination of addition and subtraction of negative

numbers

Table 3

Mean and standard deviation of the pre-test and post-test scores related to the combination of
addition and subtraction

Sample size Mean Standard Deviation

PRE-TEST 11 0.45 0.98
POST-TEST 11 2.54 1.49
Analyzing the scores of the tests conducted related to combination of addition and subtraction it is
found that, the mean score of the test conducted for the students (pre-test) has been improved in
the test conducted after using GeoGebra as an educational tool (post-test) from 0.45 to 2.54. The
bar chart of the mean score obtained by the students in the pre-test and post-test related to the
combination of addition and subtraction is given in figure 3.
Figure3

Figure of the mean score of the pre-test and post-test related to the combination subtraction

Effect of instruction using GeoGebra on negative numbers

Table 4

Mean and standard deviation of the pre-test and post-test scores

Sample size Mean Standard Deviation

PRE-TEST 11 5.2727 2.0928
POST-TEST 11 10 2.8603
Analyzing the scores of the test conducted related to the concept addition and subtraction of
negative numbers it is found that, the mean score of the test conducted for the students (pre-test)
has been improved in the test conducted after using GeoGebra as an educational tool (post-test)
from 5.27 to 10. The bar chart of the mean score obtained by the students in the pre-test and post-
test is given in figure 4.

Figure4

Figure of the mean score of the pre-test and post-test.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

The study focused on testing how GeoGebra helps ninth standard students learn to add and subtract
negative numbers. A pre-test and post-test were conducted including three set of questions:
addition, subtraction, and combination of both.

In the addition part, students scored better after using GeoGebra. The mean score increased from
2.72 to 4.09 out of 5. This shows GeoGebra helps to understand addition of negative numbers. In
the subtraction part, students scored better after using GeoGebra. The mean changed to 327 from
2.09. This indicates GeoGebra's effectiveness in teaching subtraction of negative numbers. The
most improvement was seen in the section including both addition and subtraction. The mean score
changed to 2.54 from 0.45. This significant increase highlights that GeoGebra is very helpful in
learning the combination of addition and subtraction. Overall, students test scores have
significantly changed after they learned with GeoGebra. The total mean score increased from 5.27
to 10 out of 15. This shows that GeoGebra is an effective tool for learning negative numbers.

In conclusion, the study shows that GeoGebra makes learning about negative numbers easy and
effective for ninth standard students. It helps them understand and solve problems related to
negative numbers better. With GeoGebra, students can see negative numbers on a line and move
them around. This makes it easier to learn how to add and subtract negative numbers. Seeing the
numbers helps them understand why the answers are what they are. So, GeoGebra makes learning
negative numbers fun and simple so that this could be used in daily mathematics classroom.
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