CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Background to the Study Mathematics education is one of the most important things in our life. It cuts across all spheres of our lives due to its usage and importance. Its importance goes a long way as it is one of the core compulsory subjects of the junior and senior secondary school curricula (Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), 2004). The importance of mathematics in the curricula reflects accurately the recognition of the vital role it plays in contemporary society. It is a National Policy of Nigeria to produce literate and numerate citizens characterized by ability to: Think logically and scientifically for themselves, express themselves clearly so as to be understood by others, make relevant judgments in the light of available evidence, discriminate among different kinds of values and formulate, analyze, interpret and solve routine and non-routine, familiar and non-familiar mathematics, physical, health, social, economic, political and personal adjustment problems which keep arising as a result of the rapid changes and chances in our world (Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), 2004).
