• The Mathematical Education
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.21-39
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• 2016

This research examined the Korean and American $6^{th}$ grade students' mathematical problem solving ability and methods via an intuitive thinking. For this, the survey research was used. The researcher developed the questionnaire which consists of problems with intuitive and algorithmic problem solving in number and operation, figure and measurement areas. 57 Korean $6^{th}$ grade students and 60 American $6^{th}$ grade students participated. The result of the analysis showed that Korean students revealed a higher percentage than American students in correct answers. But it was higher in the rate of Korean students attempted to use the algorithm. Two countries' students revealed higher rates in that they tried to solve the problems using intuitive thinking in geometry and measurement areas. Students in both countries showed the lower percentages of correct answer in problem solving to identify the impact of counterintuitive thinking. They were affected by potential infinity concept and the character of intuition in the problem solving process regardless of the educational environments and cultures.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.241-258
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• 2015

The purpose of this paper is to examine the students' mathematics problem solving process in the intuitive stages. For this, researcher developed the questionnaire which consisted of problems in relation to intuitive and algorithmic problem solving. 73 fifth grade and 66 sixth grade elementary students participated in this study. I got the conclusion as follows: Elementary students' intuitive problem solving ability is very low. The rate of algorithmic problem solving is higher than that of intuitive problem solving in number and operation areas. The rate of intuitive problem solving is higher in figure and measurement areas. Students inclined to solve the problem intuitively in that case there is no clue for algorithmic solution. So, I suggest the development of problems which can be solved in the intuitive stage and the preparation of the methods to experience the insight and intuition.