Questions tagged [problem-solving]

For questions related to creating, categorizing and identifying appropriate problems as well as the benefits of problem solving and related pedagogy including motivation.

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10 votes
4 answers
9k views

Is it possible to improve logical thinking and problem solving abilities?

I'm from Italy and I'm 13 years old. I'm good in Math and I'm good in languages (I know Italian, English and Russian and I think I'm good at them). I'm a programmer and I know HTML, CSS, JS and Python....
Blind's user avatar
  • 103
30 votes
9 answers
9k views

Can mathematics be learned by ONLY solving problems?

Here is the concept: Student is presented with a problem. He/she may not even understand what is being asked, or may attempt. Students reads a solution to the problem. In it there may be ...
Amir Hardoof's user avatar
14 votes
3 answers
750 views

The interplay of memory and mathematical performance

As mathematicians and mathematics educators we very often see the Dunning-Kruger effect in action. Our calculus students are certain that they are masters of Calculus because they took the AP exam. To ...
Jon Bannon's user avatar
  • 6,173
13 votes
7 answers
974 views

Name the heuristic: exploiting the legitimacy of the questioner

As a child, I made frequent use of a particular 'trick' in order to make short work of many different problems. The general form is to be presented a question which wants a definite (numerical) answer,...
NiloCK's user avatar
  • 4,980
9 votes
4 answers
393 views

Ideas for math problem solving class for undergraduate students in university

In our university there is a huge gap between two group of students. a group of them came from Math Olympiad competitions and have a very strong background from high school but others, they have just ...
Saman Habibi's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
252 views

Can we solve math just by speaking and not using any other extra devices?

I have been thinking, is it possible, or a good thing to do when learning from a textbook without ever writing anything down. But have to verbally give out the solution from beginning to the end with ...
Minh Khôi's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
283 views

What will happen if someone doesn’t make it to the IMO team?

I am highly interested in mathematics, and solving Olympiad maths problems has been a type of hobby for me. But due to my age, I will never be able to give the olympiads a go again. I want to know ...
Sillyasker's user avatar