The Role of Big Math Ideas in Problem Solving
It was observed that the ability to perform basic computations and follow
procedures were not sufficient for pupils to be successful in problem solving. ‘Big
math ideas’ were used together with basic computations and procedures in cases
where pupils solved the problems successfully. The four ‘big math ideas’ used by
pupils in the study to solve challenging problems are classified as number sense,
visualization, patterning and modeling. Four cases are used to show the role of ‘big
math ideas’.
Alan and Brian were solving the problem shown in Figure 3. Alan did not a
sense that 23 is not used in getting one of the three sums. He simply chose 86 because
the question asked for the largest number. Alan performed 86 – 23 to obtain an
incorrect answer. Brian knew that 23 is not used in getting one of the sums. He
performed 71 – 23 and 61 – 23 and selected correctly the bigger number as the
answer. Brian was using the idea that the biggest sum is obtained by using the two
biggest numbers. The problem in Figure 3 requires pupils to use number sense in the
solution process. Pupils who possess the ability to select the correct operation and
perform the operation may not necessarily obtain the correct answer.