• School Mathematics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.691-708
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• 2014

In general, the intuitive knowledge that can use in mathematics problem solving is one of the important knowledge to teachers as well as students. So, this study is aimed to analyze the elementary preservice teachers' intuitive knowledge in relation to intuitive and counter-intuitive problem solving. For this, I performed survey to use questionnaire consisting of problems that can solve in intuitive methods and cause the errors by counter-intuitive methods. 161 preservice teachers participated in this study. I got the conclusion as follows. preservice teachers' intuitive problem solving ability is very low. I special, many preservice teachers preferred algorithmic problem solving to intuitive problem solving. So, it's needed to try to improve preservice teachers' problem solving ability via ensuring both the quality and quantity of problem solving education during preservice training courses. Many preservice teachers showed errors with incomplete knowledges or intuitive judges in counter-intuitive problem solving process. For improving preservice teachers' intuitive problem solving ability, we have to develop the teacher education curriculum and materials for preservice teachers to go through intuitive mathematical problem solving. Add to this, we will strive to improve preservice teachers' interest about mathematics itself and value of mathematics.

• 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.