INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICAL THEORY (IJASMT )
E- ISSN 2489-009X
P- ISSN 2695-1908
VOL. 11 NO. 3 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijasmt.vol.11.no3.2025.pg25.33
Emmanuel C. Nwigboji & Prof. Ebele C. Okigbo
This study examined the effect of the inducto-deductive approach on children's early numerical aptitude in mathematics in Ebonyi North Education Zone of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two research questions and three hypotheses. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design involving 246 primary six pupils selected from two public primary schools. The experimental group (134 pupils) was taught using the inducto-deductive approach, while the control group (112 pupils) received instruction through the traditional expository method. The instrument for data collection used was Numerical Aptitude Test (NAT). Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation, While the hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at a 0.05 alpha level of significance. The results revealed that pupils taught using the inducto-deductive approach achieved significantly higher mean numerical aptitude scores than those taught with the expository approach. The method proved effective for both male and female pupils, with no significant gender differences observed in numerical aptitude outcomes. Additionally, there was no interaction effect between instructional approaches and gender on pupils' numerical aptitude, indicating that the inducto-deductive approach offers an equitable learning experience. It was recommended among others that mathematics teachers should adopt this approach to improve pupils' engagement and performance in mathematics.
Inducto-Deductive Approach, Children’s Early Numerical Aptitude, Mathematics.
Adhikari, R. (2020). Effective teaching strategies in mathematics: Linking theory to practice.
Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 10(2), 134-145.
Ajai, J. T. & Imoko, B. I. (2015). Gender differences in mathematics achievement and retention
scores: A case of problem-based learning method. International Journal of Research in
Education and Science (IJRES), 1(1), 45-50.
Alordiah, C. O., Akpadaka, G. & Oviogboda, O. S. (2015). The influence of gender on students’
academic achievement in mathematics. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(32), 1-7.
Emefa, K., Miima, F. & Bwire, M. (2020). Enhancing student interest in mathematics through
innovative teaching methods. Journal of Educational Psychology, 12(4), 245-258.
Enunwa, C. E. (2016). Numerical aptitude and early mathematical development: A cognitive
approach. African Journal of Educational Studies, 8(2), 67-75.
Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). (2014). National Policy on Education (6th ed.). NERDC
Press.
Ijezie, S. O., Ezeliora, B. & Okafor, P. N. (2020). Factors affecting numerical aptitude and interest
in mathematics among primary school pupils. International Journal of Early Childhood
Education, 14(1), 101-112.
Ikegwu, N. E. (2013). Challenges of teaching and learning mathematics in Nigerian primary
schools. African Journal of Mathematics Education, 8(1), 56-63.
Jagat, P. (2020). The impact of inductive and deductive teaching approaches on students’ learning
outcomes in mathematics. International Journal of Educational Studies, 15(3), 98-105.
Kihwele, J. E. & Mkomwa, M. C. (2022). The role of teaching methods in enhancing pupils'
mathematical achievement. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 18(2), 178-188.
Narendra, R. & Ajay, K. (2017). Comparative analysis of inductive and deductive teaching
methods in mathematics. Educational Research International, 6(4), 45-53.
Osborn, T. (2010). Developing numerical aptitude in young learners: Strategies for teachers.
Journal of Mathematics Education, 6(3), 122-130.
Piaget, J. (1977). The development of thought: Equilibration of cognitive structures. Viking.
Santrocks, J. W. (2011). Educational psychology (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Shoaib, M. & Saeed, H. (2022). Comparing the effects of inductive and deductive teaching
approaches on students’ mathematics performance. Contemporary Educational Research
Quarterly, 20(1), 33-42.
Willie, M. B. & Bondi, D. E. (2011). The significance of early numerical aptitude in academic
success. Mathematics Education Journal, 9(2), 67-73.
Zakariyya, O. (2014). Evaluating the effectiveness of traditional teaching methods in primary
mathematics education. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 22(1), 112-120.