• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.95-111
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to analyze cases on teaching solutions exploration of Wythoff's game through using the analogy for the gifted elementary students, to suggest useful teaching methods. Students recognized structural similarity among problems on the basis of relevance of conditions of problems. The discovery of structural similarity improves the ability to solve problems. Although 2 groups-NIM game with surface similarity is not helpful in solving Wythoff's game, Queen's move game with structural similarity makes it easier for students to solve Wythoff's game. Useful teaching methods to find solutions of Wythoff's game through using the analogy are as follow. Encoding process helps students make sense of the game. It is significant to help students realize how many stones are remained and how the location of Queen can be expressed by the ordered pair. Inferring process helps students find a solution of 2 groups-NIM game and Queen's move game. It is necessary to find a winning strategy through reversely solving method. Mapping process helps students discover surface similarity and structural similarity through identifying commonalities between the two games. It is crucial to recognize the relationship among the two games based on the teaching in the Encoding process. Application process encourages students to find a solution of Wythoff's game. It is more important to find a solution by using the structural similarity of the Queen's move game rather than reversely solving method.