The Circular Flower Bed Problem

Zusammenfassung

Mathematical problem solving is the primary goal of school mathematics curriculum in Singapore. Prospective secondary school mathematics teachers, as part of their teacher education at the National Institute of Education, undertake a 96 hour course called Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. Throughout the course, as part of the study of content and pedagogy of various topics of secondary mathematics, they are engaged in solving mathematical problems. A formal introduction to mathematical problem solving and review of the relevant literature is done at the beginning of the course. As an introduction to mathe-matical problem solving, we engage our teachers in several tasks, one of which is the Circular Flower Bed, to jump start discussion on mathematical problem solving and bridge theory into practice. The goal of the task is to engage prospective teachers in problem solving and initiate discussion on the process of finding a solution, specifically the feelings, emotions and regulation of thinking during the process.