Gender Differences in Mathematical Problem Solving Patterns: A Review of Literature.

A large body of literature reports that there are gender differences in mathematical problem solving favouring males. Strategy use, as a reflection of different patterns in mathematical problem solving between genders, is found to be related to cognitive abilities, together with psychological characteristics and mediated by experience and education. Many complex variables including biological, psychological and environmental variables are revealed to contribute to gender differences in mathematical problem solving in some specific areas. This article suggests that the combined influence of all affective variables may account for the gender differences in mathematical problem solving patterns. gender differences, mathematical problem solving, mathematical problem solving patterns, school students In the past few decades, research has repeatedly reported gender differences in mathematics