A new property of flexibility in equation solving: making connections

Algebra involves various activities including transformational activities that are mainly about solving equations. Fluency (or flexibility) in these activities is important. Several researchers have proposed conceptualisations of flexibility in equation solving. This paper makes a reflection about flexibility in equation solving that contributes to the extension of Star and Seifert’s operationalisation. Examples are used as context for the reflection. The need for another property of flexibility, namely making connections, is suggested to deepen investigations of students’ flexibility in equation solving and its provision in teaching.