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)

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 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.…

Instructional materials used in two pilot studies are presented. Appendix A contains components of the problem-solving bulletin board. Eighteen problems are stated along with suggestions for solving each problem. Problems 1-10 contain questions extending the original problem. Teacher answer sheets are given for problems 4-18. Appendix B contains…

A computer program which generates randomly sequenced problems for testing the abilities of students to add, subtract, and multiply one-digit numbers is described. Appendices provide tables of random sequences with directions for using the tables. The 54-statement FORTRAN program which can be used in generating additional sequences is also…

Many problems and activities which can be worked with a calculator are contained in this booklet. The problems include: pattern recognition, combinations of operations, estimation, squares and square roots, rate problems, area, and volume. Chapter topics include: getting to know the calculator, single-step problems, using formulas, and…

This analysis of 44 research studies concerned with word problems contains: (1) a brief overview; (2) 44 major findings and conclusions; (3) 64 suggestions and questions for further research; and (4) a reference list. The author suggests that the experimental research of the 1980s seemed to focus on the children, the instruction, and the word…

This paper describes the research program of the Mathematics Work Group of the Wisconsin Research and Development Center for Individualized Schooling. The major interest is in the development of children's abilities to solve verbal addition and subtraction problems and particularly in the processes and strategies used by children. Three factors…

This study attempted to identify the things that help elementary school students solve verbal problems. Among the types of things included for examination were: the attributes of problems, the tools used, and the problem transformations that were possible. The summary of findings is comprised of 29 diverse types of statements grouped under four…

Variation in syntactic difficulty in arithmetic problems is studied to determine its influence on students' ability to solve problems correctly. Findings in a study of elementary school students indicated syntactic difficulty affects problem solving ability, regardless of sex (f=fiche number). (MH)

Explored are responses of students aged 9 to 13 to linear generalizing problems from both a technical and strategic point of view. The methods commonly used were the same in all age groups and across all three questions, although some students choosing each model varied. (YP)

Describes an exploratory investigation of how children reacted to problems with missing, surplus or contradictory data. It was found that the majority of children gave unsatisfactory answers to such problems. (PK)

Studied schemes involved in solving two-step arithmetic word problems in (n=1824) elementary schoolchildren in Israel. Compound schemes and combinations of operations were found to affect the difficulty level of the problems. Appendix includes two versions of the test instrument. (Contains 17 references.) (MKR)