Effects of Po-shen Loh’s Method on Students’ Achievement in Quadratic Equations

This paper presents Po-Shen Loh’s method as an alternate method for solving quadratic equations, which is seen as an efficient and natural method for solving general quadratic equations. The study is an action research involving a sample of forty – five (45) students of Kumasi Wesley Girls High School, randomly selected for the study. Prior to the study, it was observed that the students did not know about any other method of solving quadratic equation other than the four traditional methods (factorisation, formula, completing squares and graphical) in the mathematics curriculum at the senior high school level in Ghana. The pre-test and post-test scores obtained by the students were analysed quantitatively and an inferential and descriptive analysis were performed. Comparatively, the scores obtained from the pre-test and post-test showed a significant improvement in the students’ ability to solve quadratic equations using the Po-Shen Loh’s method. The authors therefore recommend for it to be introduced into the senior high school mathematics curriculum in Ghana.