65 % of the teacher candidates involved in the research used simplifying the problem strategy while solving
geometry problems. The question “Do you try to solve a complex geometry problem by breaking it into simpler
parts?” was asked in the interview to identify whether the teacher candidates use simplifying the problem
strategy or not and some of the answers they give are like that;
S. 2- Yes. I break it into small parts if the question is too complex and I try to reach the whole. For example,
while finding the area of octagon, I draw a square out of it and I find the whole area based on the small
squares.
S.5- Yes. I generally solve the complex questions by breaking them into parts. I do like that with polygons or
complex triangle questions.
S.6- Yes. For example, I can solve a question with hexagon by breaking it into triangles.
S.8- Yes. Going from part to whole is more logical. For example, in order to find the area of the trapezoid, it is
easier to find the area of the two triangles, drawing a diagonal, than using a formula.
The percentages of the findings on the strategies used by the teacher candidates according to the gender are
given in Table 2.