Mathematical problems in and out of school: The impact of considering mathematical operations and reality on real-life solutions
Sprache des Titels:
Englisch
Original Kurzfassung:
In this study, effects of asking participants to make different types of considerations when solving a realistic word problem were investigated. A two-factorial experiment with the factors ?addressing realistic considerations? (with vs. without) and ?addressing mathematical operations? (with vs. without) was conducted. It was assumed that reality-based considerations would lead to reality-based problem-solving strategies, thus fostering real-life solutions, while considering mathematical operations would lead to problem-solving strategies usually promoted in school, which were expected to impair realistic solutions. Analyses are based on N?=?165 participants. The results showed that being asked to make reality-based considerations did not significantly affect realistic solutions (F(1, 161)?=?2.43, p?=?0.121, ?p2?=?0.015), while being asked to consider appropriate mathematical operations significantly impaired realistic solutions (F(1, 161)?=?8.54, p?=?0.004, ?p2?=?0.050). These findings suggest that inducing typical school problem-solving strategies may be detrimental when it comes to solving mathematical problems in a realistic way.
Forschungs-