Spatial ability predicts algebra word problem performance above and beyond its general relation to mathematics ability¶
Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associationalr2·q3
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person
Subclaims¶
Reading the evidence codes
q is the design tier, i the impact, n the sample, and the kind with its r
the rigour judged within that kind: what each code means.
This claim: no standardized effect is recorded in observations/ for it yet, so no benchmark reading is possible.
q3 i? Adding a direct path from Spatial to Algebra Word Problems (Model 5) significantly improved model fit, and the spatial boost was higher for word problems (.16) than general mathematics (.14). → Geary David C. 2023
Evidence¶
Geary David C. 2023¶
Geary David C., Hoard Mary K., Nugent Lara, Ünal Zehra E. (2023). Sex Differences in Developmental Pathways to Mathematical Competence. Journal of Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000763
q3 · i? · associational · r2
SEM Model 5, estimating a direct Spatial-to-AWP path after a large LM value (30.38) flagged the relation; accepted as the final model. The discussion reports the word-problem spatial boost as ".38 × .41 = .16" versus ".38 × .38 = .14" for general mathematics.
"The result was Model 5 and a significant improvement in fit related to Model 4, Δχ2(1) = 32.10, p < .001. All fit indices were acceptable, and all individual paths were significant (ps < .009) and not substantively different from those found for Model 4."
Discussion¶
Learner Variables¶
- Spatial Ability — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes
Related Claims¶
- Sixth-grade understanding of mathematical equality predicts ninth-grade expression evaluation above and beyond general mathematics ability — related
- Visual-spatial working memory predicts higher-order QNC (Level II/III) but not basic numerical skills, and is linked to Grade 3 math only indirectly — related
- In-class attention and complex spatial ability (MRT) predict seventh-grade mathematics achievement above and beyond prior mathematical knowledge — a broader claim this one bears on
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
claim |
id |
spatial-predicts-algebra-word-problems-specifically |
title |
Spatial ability predicts algebra word problem performance above and beyond its general relation to mathematics ability |
description |
Spatial ability predicts algebra word problem performance above and beyond its general relation to mathematics ability |
status |
review |
evidence_strength |
moderate |
newest_evidence |
2023 |
generated |
by process:wiki-ingest on 2026-10-24 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — geary-david-c-2023 |
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