Subs-constructs of fraction and their place in Elementary Mathematics Textbooks in Iran

In order to fully understand the concept of fraction, all of its sub-constructs must be considered and interrelated. The purpose of this study is to examine the presence of these sub-constructs and their level of use in elementary mathematics textbooks in Iran. A content analysis study based on Kieren's sub-constructs framework with five categories, namely; part-whole, measurement, ratio, quotient, and operator, was conducted to analyze all 2-6 grades’ mathematics textbooks’ activities and problems in chapters related to the concept of fraction. The results of the analysis showed that the most used sub-constructs respectively are: Part-Whole (49%), Measurement (22%), Ratio (16%), Operator (11%), Quotient (1%). There is very little attention given to the sub-construct of ‘quotient’ in these textbooks. Moreover, the potential of some sub-constructs has not been fulfilled.