The method of using open-ended problems in the classroom to
promote mathematical discussion has been ongoing since the early
eighties when the theme of "Problem Solving in School Mathematics"
had been adopted as the NCTM's 1980 "Agenda For Action" in America
and endorsed by the Cockroft Report in England. From then on,
the use of some form of open-ended problems in the classroom has spread
all over the world including Singapore. However the concept of 'openended'
problems was not well defined as there were many types of
problems that were put forward as open-ended problems.