Answer to Question #206846 in Math for Muis

Question

What is the difference between relational understanding and instrumental understanding? Provide examples to illustrate your understanding.

Answer 1

Instrumental understanding – having a mathematical rule and being able to apply and manipulate it.

Students who have been taught instrumentally can perform calculations, apply procedures, but do not necessarily understand the mathematics behind the rules or procedures.

Relational understanding – having a mathematical rule, knowing how to use it AND knowing why it works.

Students who are taught relationally are more likely to remember the procedures because they have truly understood why they work, they are more likely to retain their understanding longer, more likely to connect new learning with previous learning, and they are less likely to make careless mistakes.

So, relational understanding is a deeper, more complex understanding of instrumental understanding.