Two important factors that influence problem solving are the nature of the task and the kind of knowledge brought to the problem by the solver. After a consideration of the definition of a problem, puzzle problems are discussed, as are problem representation and general processes of solution. Also discussed is the question of solving problems that…

Age-related changes in children's performance on simple division problems (e.g., 6 divided by 2, 72 divided by 9) were investigated by asking children in Grades 4 through 7 to solve 32 simple division problems. Differences in performance were found across grade, with younger children performing more slowly and less accurately than older children.…

Results are reported from a study of the problem-solving abilities of Swedish children aged 12-13. Illustrative problems and conclusions are given to describe a method for defining and testing problem solving. (MNS)

In order to propogate information on the World Year of Physics (WYP) and to promote students' appreciation of the significance of this event, the author devised a riddle about Einstein and implemented it at two high schools in Taiwan, with 95 students which were mainly based on Einstein's publications in 1905. During the game 81% of the students…

Examines the relationship between development of logical processes required in deductive reasoning and their use by preschoolers, also considering possible explanations for children's deductive reasoning. The relationship of problem content to real-world knowledge and the sequence of presentation of problem types were found to affect the display…

As part of the Mathematical Problem Solving Project, MPSP, the goals and purposes of miniprojects are explored. Various conjectures are presented which are based partially upon observation of children working on projects and partially upon the opinions of mathematicians who have observed how problem-solving processes are used in real-world…

The goal of this study was to find a way to quantify three criteria of representational quality, described by Greeno, so that it would be possible to examine statistically the relationship between representational quality and other variables related to problem solution. The sample consisted of 18 college students, 84 percent of whom had…

"Mental work" recorded in primary mathematics classes as part of the Classroom Interaction Process is not a simple, single activity of drill or quiz but a set of overlapping activities with different functions. A more analytical approach to mental work is advocated to enhance its usefulness as a classroom activity. (Author/SJL)

Discussed is the performance of college students on the task of solving chemistry problems involving Lewis structures. Difficulty of the task and of individual problems is described. A taxonomy of skills associated with Lewis structures is presented. (CW)

Investigates the effects of two context variables on the performance of seventh-grade students on a qualitative and numerical proportional reasoning test. Explores the nature of the relationships between rational number skills, qualitative reasoning about ratios, and numerical proportional reasoning. (Author/YP)

First of three experiments compared third graders who had studied worked, two-step arithmetic word problems to those learning through conventional problem solving. The former grouped showed superior test performance. In experiments two and three, children presented with integrated worked examples outperformed those presented with split-source…

The aim of this monograph is to describe a program of research investigating the problem-solving responses of young children and to present in summary form the results of the analyses completed so far. Attention is given to characteristics of clinical studies which are thought to make the clinical method particularly useful with young children.…

Second and third graders from six Dutch elementary schools (N = 168) solved two sets of almost identical addition and subtraction sums at a two-week interval. Inconsistency in strategies, which characterized half the subjects, was related to unfamiliar sums and resulted in misinterpreted errors. (TJH)

Describes the problem-solving behaviors of experts and novices engaged in solving seven chemical equilibrium problems. Lists 27 behavioral tendencies of successful and unsuccessful problem solvers. Discusses several implications for a problem solving theory, think-aloud techniques, adequacy of the chemistry domain, and chemistry instruction.…

The purpose of this released exercise set is to provide easy access to some exercises from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) second mathematics assessment, conducted in 1977-78. Part 1 of the text explains NAEP's assessment procedures and describes the documentation provided for the various kinds of exercises in the set. Part…