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http://dx.doi.org/10.7468/jksmed.2011.15.4.311

Knowledge is Key to Variability in Solving Algebraic Word Problems  

Ng, Swee Fong (National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University)
Publication Information
Research in Mathematical Education / v.15, no.4, 2011 , pp. 311-325 More about this Journal
Abstract
In this paper I propose that teaching students the most efficient method of problem solving may curtail students' creativity. Instead it is important to arm students with a variety of problem solving heuristics. It is the students' responsibility to decide which heuristic will solve the problem. The chosen heuristic is the one which is meaningful to the students.
Keywords
problem solving heuristics; algebraic word problems; letter-symbolic algebra;
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