The Roles of Arithmetic Fluency and Executive Functioning in Mathematical Problem-Solving

Abstract

This study is conducted to further understand the direct and indirect contributions of executive functioning (visuo-spatial updating, verbal updating, inhibition, shifting) and arithmetic fluency to mathematical problem-solving in 458 fourth-grade students. Arithmetic fluency along with visuospatial and verbal updating were significant predictors of mathematical problem-solving at the end of grade 4. When the growth in mathematical problem-solving during grade 4 was analyzed, only arithmetic fluency directly and strongly contributed to students’ problem-solving at the end of grade 4. Inhibition and shifting (in combination with inhibition) were indirectly connected to mathematical problem-solving at the end of grade 4 via their arithmetic fluency. Arithmetic fluency plays a critical role and continues to do this in mathematical problem-solving. Furthermore, a decline in importance for visuospatial and verbal updating and increasing importance of inhibition and shifting (com-bined with inhibition) were found with regard to stu-dents’ ability to solve mathematical problems during grade 4.