Choose your journey: Using a combination of methods to aid mathematical problem solving

Problem solving in mathematics allows teachers and learners to make choices, such as choices about which methods and representations to use. The article draws the readers’ attention to the diversity of problem solving methods, in particular to visual and traditional algorithmic methods. Mastery of a variety of methods is important for teachers and learners in terms of becoming versatile with varied ways of solving problems and communicating mathematical ideas. For teachers, for instance, increased awareness of a wider range of representations offers benefits by giving them a greater faculty to exercise choices with respect to their explanations, and expanded ability to present mathematical ideas in understandable formats.