Simplifying equations via assumptions is integral to the "engineering method." Algebraic scaling helps in teaching the engineering skill of making good assumptions. Algebraic scaling is more than a pedagogical tool. It can create a solution where one was not possible before scaling. Scaling helps in engineering proper design…

Mathematical flexibility is thought to be a critical component of mathematical proficiency, and the term "mathematical flexibility" has been used by teachers, researchers, and policy makers for more than 2 decades. Although there seems to be consensus on the importance of mathematical flexibility as a construct, the way it is defined and…

Differential equations (DEs) are a powerful tool for modeling real-world contexts. Most research in this area has examined students' understanding and reasoning with pre-packaged DEs, with little attention being given to setting up sophisticated DEs to model complicated real-world situations. This study contributes through a collective case study…

In this paper, we initially investigate the capabilities of GPT-3 5 and GPT-4 in solving college-level calculus problems, an essential segment of mathematics that remains under-explored so far. Although improving upon earlier versions, GPT-4 attains approximately 65% accuracy for standard problems and decreases to 20% for competition-like…

In tracing recent research trends and directions in mathematical problem-solving, it is argued that advances in mathematics practices occur and take place around two intertwined activities, mathematics problem formulation and ways to approach and solve those problems. In this context, a problematizing principle emerges as central activity to…

Graded Troubleshooting (GTS) is a powerful routine that teachers can use easily to engender students' metacognitive thinking and boost their understanding of mathematics concepts and procedures. This article describes a new GTS activity designed to prompt students to efficiently exploit worked examples when asked to diagnose erroneous examples…

Mathematical self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to successfully perform tasks and solve problems in mathematics. This Snapshot examines gender differences in mathematical self-efficacy and the levels of confidence that students feel in doing a range of formal and applied mathematics tasks. It also examines the extent…

The solution and verification of single-digit multiplication problems vary in speed and accuracy. The current study examines whether the number of different digits in a problem accounts for this variance. In Experiment 1, 41 participants solved all 2-9 multiplication problems. In Experiment 2, 43 participants verified these problems. In Experiment…

Young children with limited knowledge of formal mathematics can intuitively perform basic arithmetic-like operations over nonsymbolic, approximate representations of quantity. However, the algorithmic rules that guide such nonsymbolic operations are not entirely clear. We asked whether nonsymbolic arithmetic operations have a function-like…

Eddie Woo discusses the importance of problem solving in mathematics education. He points to the need for teachers to carefully consider the approaches they use to best support the growth of problem-solving abilities in students.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify and evaluate the effects of individual characteristics associated with mathematical word problem-solving skills among elementary school-aged children and to unpack the quality of studies investigating these associations. The systematic review was reported according to the…

The importance of mathematical problem solving (MPS) has been widely recognized. While there has been significant progress in developing and studying interventions to support teaching and learning MPS for students with disabilities, the research on how to accurately and effectively assess the impact of those interventions has lagged, leaving a gap…

The decomposition of numbers when solving subtraction tasks is regarded as more powerful than counting-based strategies. Still, many students fail to solve subtraction tasks despite using decomposition. To shed light upon this issue, we take a variation theoretical perspective (Marton, 2015) seeing learning as a function of discerning critical…

For decades, mastery ambitions related to processes like problem-solving, modelling, and reasoning have been incorporated in mathematics curricula around the world. Meanwhile, such ambitions are hindered by syllabusism, a term I use to denote a conviction that results in mastery of a subject being equated with proficiency in a specific subject…

Critical thinking is a key transversal competency of the 21st century, but some students have difficulty, especially during the transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify epistemological obstacles in critical thinking related to proof, generalization, alternative answers, and problem-solving. This…