Component & String Effects on Fractions

### Research Hypothesis
We hypothesized that both component size and string length influence fraction magnitude comparison in children and adults, with string length amplifying the whole number bias. Children were expected to be more affected than adults.

### Data Collection
We tested 37 fifth-grade students (age 11) and 34 college students (age 20) using fraction comparison tasks with different and same string lengths. Accuracy and response times were recorded.

### Key Findings
1. **Bias and Influence**: Both children and adults exhibited whole number bias, influenced by both component size and string length.
2. **Age Differences**: Children were more affected by component size than adults.
3. **String Length Effect**: String length amplified the whole number bias, as shown by greater response time bias in different string length tasks.

### Interpretation and Implications
The findings suggest that fraction processing is affected by component size and string length, with string length exacerbating the whole number bias. This highlights the need for educational strategies that address these biases, such as using varied fraction representations and developing inhibitory control skills. Future research should explore individual differences and cross-cultural contexts.