Conceptions and Misconceptions of Average: a Comparative Study between Teachers and Students

The present study aims to analyze students’ and teachers’ conceptions and misconceptions of average. A paper and pencil test has been designed, comprised of three questions, which was undertaken by 287 Brazilian students and teachers. They were: 54 pupils from the 4th grade, 47 from 5th grade, 61 students beginning undergraduation on Pedagogy, 82 students concluding undergraduation on Pedagogy and 43 primary school teachers. The test was undertaken in a collective way. Except for the teachers of the group, all the groups tend to confuse average with addition of the values, or the maximum value. In spite of an evolution on the understanding of the concept of average according to the educational level of the groups, some misconceptions were found within the teachers’ group.