Square Root Expressions and Irrational Numbers in Middle School Mathematics Textbooks Throughout the History of the Republic

Abstract

Irrational numbers, a fundamental set that extends rational numbers to real numbers, have been a subject of limited study in the context of textbook analyses. This study, therefore, examines how square root expressions and irrational numbers have been addressed in middle school mathematics textbooks throughout the history of the Republic of Türkiye. The research was conducted using a comprehensive approach, with qualitative research methods and content analysis was applied to 37 mathematics textbooks (seven 5th grade, twelve 6th grade, nine 7th grade, and nine 8th grade) from 1932 to 2022. Data were collected from mathematics textbooks available at the Ferit Ragıp Tuncor Archive and Documentation Library affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. The results of this study indicate that changes in mathematics curricula are reflected in textbooks, and this reflection is directly influenced by the learning theory adopted in the curriculum. The study also provides insights into how irrational numbers are introduced in textbooks based on the sequence of topics, and recommendations are made based on the findings.