It is considered an essential process through which students are able to achieve the expectations
in mathematics, and is an integral part of the mathematics curriculum in Ontario, for the
following reasons. Problem solving:
• is the primary focus and goal of mathematics in the real world;
• helps students become more confident in their ability to do mathematics;
• allows students to use the knowledge they bring to school and helps them connect mathematics
with situations outside the classroom;
• helps students develop mathematical understanding and gives meaning to skills and concepts
in all strands;
• allows students to reason, communicate ideas, make connections, and apply knowledge and
skills;
• offers excellent opportunities for assessing students’ understanding of concepts, ability to
solve problems, ability to apply concepts and procedures, and ability to communicate ideas;
• promotes the collaborative sharing of ideas and strategies, and promotes talking about
mathematics;
• helps students find enjoyment in mathematics;
• increases opportunities for the use of critical-thinking skills (estimating, evaluating, classifying,
assuming, recognizing relationships, hypothesizing, offering opinions with reasons, and
making judgements).