Numerical problem difficulty lowers word-problem solution probability; both abilities raise it¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Only numerical problem difficulty significantly affected solution probability (OR = 0.30), while mathematical abilities (OR = 1.67) and linguistic abilities (OR = 1.35) were significantly associated with higher solution probabilities, with no significant ability interaction. → Strohmaier 2025

Evidence¶

Strohmaier 2025¶

Strohmaier, A. R., Schons, C., Knabbe, A., Vogel, M., Saado, K., & Obersteiner, A. (2025). The relation between text comprehension and computation in mathematical word-problem solving. Learning and Instruction, 101, 102235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2025.102235

q3 · i? · causal · r2

Descriptive/logistic results on solution rates from the same eye-tracking experiment (n = 47, 746 solutions). The article reports OR = 0.30 for numerical difficulty and OR = 1.67 (mathematics) and OR = 1.35 (language) for abilities; odds ratios are not standardized effect sizes, so impact is null.

"Of the word problem variations, only numerical problem difficulty significantly affected solution probability, OR = 0.30, p < .001. Question position showed a trend such that word problems with the question at the beginning were solved correctly less often, OR = 0.71, p = .056."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Numerical problem difficulty and lower mathematical abilities increase attention on numbers during the second solution phase — related
• Linguistic problem difficulty and lower linguistic abilities increase attention on situational text during the first solution phase of word-problem solving — related