Abstract:

Problem solving competency includes the ability of using different problem solving strategies for a problem. The used strategies could indicate the solvers' thinking deepness, his/her level of understanding of the notions appeared in the problem. In this paper we analyze the strategies used by preschool and primary school pedagogy specialization students for solving problems related with the smallest common multiple and the greatest common divisor. Even if the most of the students know how to calculate the smallest common multiple and the greatest common divisor of two numbers, they are confused in choosing between these two notions in case of solving word problems. Among others, an interesting problem was given to students and they solved it using more approaches, some of the correct and some of them incorrect. We analyze these approaches and highlight some misconceptions behind the incorrect solutions. The results show that many students solve these kind of problems only trying to use the algorithms for calculating the smallest common multiple and the greatest common divisor, without really understanding these two notions, and without being able to choose the right one between these two notions in case of a word problem.

Keywords:

Problem solving strategies, university students, misconceptions.