Students’ suspension of sense making in problem solving

Abstract Research on mathematical problem solving has a long tradition: retracing its fascinating story sheds light intricacies and, therefore, needs. When we analyze this impressive literature, critical issue emerges clearly, namely, the presence of words and expressions having many sometimes opposite meanings. Significant examples are terms ‘realistic’ ‘modeling’ associated with word problems in school. Understanding how these used is important research, because relates to design several studies interpretation large number phenomena, such as well-known phenomenon students’ suspension sense making when they solve problems. In order deepen our understanding phenomenon, describe empirical qualitative study focused effects variations presentation (text, picture, format) approaches The results show that more precisely activation alternative kinds making: different active appear be strongly affected by problem.