INVESTIGATION OF SEVENTH-GRADE STUDENTS’ AND THEIR MATHEMATICS TEACHERS’ SOLUTION STRATEGIES IN SOLVING FERMI PROBLEMS

Date

2025-3-13

Author

İler, Kübra

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Fermi problems are a specific type of real-life, estimation-based mathematical problems that require individuals to make reasonable approximations and develop problem-solving strategies. These problems are widely recognized for fostering students' mathematical modeling, reasoning, and estimation skills. While numerous studies have examined how students, pre-service teachers, and in-service teachers approach Fermi problems individually, there is a lack of research comparing the solution strategies employed by both teachers and students within the same study. Addressing this gap, the present study aims to compare the solution strategies used by middle school mathematics teachers and their students in solving Fermi problems. The study adopts a qualitative research design and employs a structured interview methodology. A total of four Fermi problems were presented to middle school mathematics teachers and three seventh-grade students of each teacher through a structured interview protocol. The solutions were analyzed to identify the solution strategies used by teachers and students. The findings reveal that while teachers predominantly used systematic and structured approaches, students demonstrated a wider variety of strategies, including more intuitive and exploratory methods. Notably, both teachers and students commonly employed the iteration of reference unit strategy, yet students exhibited more diverse modeling techniques overall. Additionally, some students attempted to solve problems without using a clear strategy. These findings contribute to the literature by providing insights into how teachers and students engage with Fermi problems differently, which may inform instructional practices. In this regard, it is suggested that future research may further explore how instructional interventions influence students’ strategy selection and the role of teacher guidance in problem solving.

Subject Keywords

Fermi Problems, Students’ Solution Strategies, Teachers’ Solution Strategies, Estimation-based Solutions

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/114606

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis