Communication: The essential difference between mathematical modeling and problem solving

Abstract

In this chapter, I discuss the formulation of tasks used as a communicative tool for developing someone's mathematical modeling competency and mathematical problem solving competency. These two competencies are characterized and their different crux is highlighted. This is exemplified by the formulation of different kind of tasks, and two hypotheses are offered for further debate and investigation concerning the kind of tasks that dominate in mathematics education and why. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.