Mathematical Problem-Solving Frameworks of Different Mathematics-Anxiety Levels Students

Yeo Kai Kow JosephThis paper explores the problem-solving frameworks of 621 Secondary 2 students (13 to 14 years old). These students were asked to complete in writing the statement ‘When I am given a mathematics problem to solve, this is what I do…’. The data were coded under the four phases of problem solving which were arrived at from a preliminary analysis of the data. The four phases: Understand / Represent the Problem (U), Find a Way to Solve the Problem (F), Solve the Problem (S), and Check the Solution (C) were noted. Secondary 2 students were found to rely on individual problem-solving frameworks to guide them when solving problems. The frameworks of different mathematics-anxiety students were similar, brief and specific in nature.