The purpose of mathematics is to solve problems, and this activity must permeate all the strands of mathematics. This strand provides and organized introduction of problem-solving techniques or strategies. It must rely on other strands for the content addressed by these strategies.
Problem solving can be a powerful connecting link between strands.
Students should be required to explain and validate their process of solution. Among other skills, they should be able to describe false starts and their reasons for starting over. Evaluation of problem solving in the school environment should focus on the process as well as the solution. Leaders in industry remind us that their problems situations many times can be solved only by teams of responsible employees rather than individuals. We must provide an opportunity for student s to simulate this process by having them work together to determine solutions, and then contrasting and comparing solutions with those developed by other teams.