Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the difference in the topic of fractions between mathematics textbooks in Taiwan and Finland. This study adopteds a content analysis method to explore: (1) how topics in fractions were introduced, (2) content sequences, and (3) problem types. Results of this study were as following: (1) In terms of “definition of fractions,” the Taiwanese textbooks provided a context problems before introducing the definition of fractions, while the Finnish textbooks gave the definition immediately in the unit. (2) In terms of “equivalent fractions”, the Taiwanese textbooks introduced expanding fractions and then reducing fractions, while the Finnish textbooks introduced them in reverse order. (3) In terms of “fraction operations,” both countries firstly introduced multiplication by integers and then introduced multiplication by fractions. Furthermore, the Taiwanese textbooks gave an explanation and a proof about dividing fractions before giving the rule, while the Finnish textbooks gave the rule of dividing fractions immediately. (4) The total number of the problems in the Finnish textbooks was three times more than the total number in the Taiwanese textbooks. (5) Regarding the problem distribution, the Taiwanese textbooks had the highest percentages in “equivalent fractions,” while the Finnish textbooks had highest percentages in “definition of fractions. (6) In the representation forms of problems, the Taiwanese textbooks were mainly based on the connection form while the Finnish textbooks focused mainly on mathematical form. (7) About the cognitive demand of problems, both countries focused mainly on proceduralproblems. (8) About the open-ended or closed-ended of the problmes, the two countries are mainly based on closed-ended question. (9) About the situational or non-situational problems, the Taiwanese textbooks focused mainly on situational problmes while the Finnish textbooks focused mainly on non-situational problems. (10) About the steps of problem solving, the two countries focus mainly on one-step problem types.