Working memory and problem representation in mathematics problem solving

This study investigated the effect of working memory capacity on mathematics problem solving and the relationship between working memory and problem representation of 124 grade six primary school students. The results showed that the main effect of working memory is significant and the higher capacity, the better problem performance. The main effect of gender is significant, which suggests that boys had better problem solving performance than girls. The number of the representations used by students was not significantly related to working memory capacity, but the validity of representation was significantly related to working memory capacity.