• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-54
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• 2008

The discovery method is known to be the most effective in improving students' mathematical thinking. Recently, the long-term slow thinking(LST) is suggested as a possible method to implement the discovery method into the real classroom. In this concept, we examined whether students can solve such a problem, as appears to be beyond their ability, by themselves(LST) or not. 10 middle school students of the ninth grade were selected for the study, who had no previous experience on the infinite concept of calculus of the high school course. They had tried to solve a problem about the calculus by their LST for three days. Two of students solved the problem by themselves and seven of students solved it with help of hints. This result shows that if students are given the opportunity of LST for rather difficult mathematical problem with appropriate guidance of a teacher, they might solve it by themselves. That is, LST could be a possible method for implementation of the discovery method.