The Role of Problem Solving

Abstract

The importance of problem solving in mathematics has been attested to by many individuals and groups (e.g., Snowmass 1973; NCSM 1977; CBMS 1982). Furthermore, the belief seems to be common that the development of students' problem-solving abilities is one of the most important goals of mathematics education. In view of the importance of problem solving, it is templing to argue that problem solving and mathematical thinking are in fact different names tor the same activity. However, such an argument would provide too narrow an interpretation of mathematical thinking and too broad a view of problem solving. The purposes of this article are to describe one view of “mathematical thinking” and to describe the characteristics of a problem-solving program necessary to develop this kind of thinking.