Investigation of 5 th, 6th , and 7 th Grade Students’ Solving Processes in Arithmetic Word Problems

Abstract

The aim of the study was to reveal how the problem solving processes in middle grades (5th, 6th
,
and 7th) were influenced by compare type of word problems' expression using consistent and inconsistent language.
The study group was consisted of 297 students in 5th, 6th, and 7
th grades in public schools in Trabzon. In this
research, data collection tools were a test made of eight comparison word problems and clinical interviews
conducted with nine students. Data showed that students in all levels were found to be more successful in solving
consistent language problems than inconsistent language problems. Students’ wrong answers related to
inconsistent language problems were usually about inappropriate use of four operations. Consequently, students
were focusing on keywords and these keywords determined students’ problems solving procedure