Relationship between visual and nonvisual solution methods and difficulty in elementary mathematics

The purposes of this study were (a) to identify differences in approaches u sed by students to solve mathematical word problems, (b) to determine the i nfluence of visual and nonvisual methods on task success, and (c) to invest igate whether methods employed to solve mathematical problems change as tas k complexity is reduced. One hundred and twelve Grade 6 students (11-13-yea r-olds) were required to solve 20 mathematical problems and to identify the method or approach undertaken to complete the task. Results indicated that students typically used visual methods to solve difficult or novel problem s, whereas nonvisual strategies were used in less difficult situations.