Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Reasoning01:30

Reasoning

444
Reasoning is the action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way. It is integral to problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. Reasoning can be inductive or deductive. Reasoning involves transforming information into conclusions, which is essential for problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
Inductive reasoning involves deriving generalizations from specific observations. This type of reasoning helps form beliefs about the world. For example,...
444
Deductive Reasoning01:16

Deductive Reasoning

69.6K
Deductive reasoning, or deduction, is the type of logic used in hypothesis-based science. In deductive reasoning, the pattern of thinking moves in the opposite direction as compared to inductive reasoning, which means that it uses a general principle or law to predict specific results. From those general principles, a scientist can deduce and predict the specific results that would be valid as long as the general principles are valid.
For example, a researcher can deduce specific predictions...
69.6K
Mathematical Induction01:29

Mathematical Induction

299
Mathematical induction is a structured method of proof used to confirm the truth of statements involving natural numbers. Consider the sum of the first n natural numbers:This formula describes a pattern that appears to hold true as more terms are added. To verify that it is valid for all natural numbers, mathematical induction proceeds in two essential steps. The first is the base case, where the formula is tested for the initial value, typically n = 1. Substituting into both sides confirms the...
299
Inductive Reasoning00:59

Inductive Reasoning

68.1K
Inductive reasoning is a form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion. It is uncertain and operates in degrees to which the conclusions are credible. As such, inductive arguments can be weak or strong, rather than valid or invalid, and conclusions can be used to formulate testable, falsifiable hypotheses.
Inductive reasoning is common in descriptive science. A life scientist makes observations and records them. This data can be qualitative or...
68.1K
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus I: Problem Solving01:22

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus I: Problem Solving

80
In many engineering and environmental applications, accumulated quantities are determined from rates that vary over time. A common example arises in water management, where a supply system pumps water into a storage tank at a rate that changes with time. Accurately determining how much water has entered the tank over a given period is essential for maintaining proper pressure, scheduling operations, and ensuring system safety.The flow rate of water into the tank is described by a time-dependent...
80
Theorems of Pappus and Guldinus: Problem Solving01:12

Theorems of Pappus and Guldinus: Problem Solving

1.1K
Pappus and Guldinus's theorems are powerful mathematical principles that are used for finding the surface area and volume of composite shapes. For example, consider a cylindrical storage tank with a conical top. Finding the surface area or volume can be challenging for such complex shapes. These theorems are particularly useful in calculating the volume and surface area of such systems. Here, the cylindrical storage tank with a conical top can be broken down into two simple shapes: a...
1.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Longitudinal association between relational reasoning and mathematics achievement: Mediating roles of arithmetic principle understanding and word problem reasoning.

Child development·2026
Same author

Correction: Identification of preschoolers with special educational needs: comparing the discriminative validity of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) and the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) across different informants in Hong Kong.

Frontiers in psychology·2025
Same author

Potential underlying mechanisms of spatial-mathematical associations among primary school children.

Journal of experimental child psychology·2025
Same author

Identification of preschoolers with special educational needs: comparing the discriminative validity of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) and the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) across different informants in Hong Kong.

Frontiers in psychology·2025
Same author

Development and validation of a short form for the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices using a machine learning approach.

The British journal of developmental psychology·2025
Same author

Infants' Social Evaluation of Helpers and Hinderers: A Large-Scale, Multi-Lab, Coordinated Replication Study.

Developmental science·2024
Same journal

Differential Development of Object and Location Processing is a Critical Factor to a Child's Passing or Failing Explicit False-Belief Tasks.

Developmental science·2026
Same journal

Performance and Biases of the LENA and ACLEW Algorithms in Analyzing Language Environments in Down, Fragile X, Angelman Syndromes, and Populations at Elevated Likelihood for Autism.

Developmental science·2026
Same journal

Correction to "Navigating Knowledge: Effects of State Curiosity on Children's Word Learning and Information Seeking".

Developmental science·2026
Same journal

Developmental Unity and Cultural Variation in Forms of Metarepresentational False Belief Understanding.

Developmental science·2026
Same journal

Cascading Periods of Language-Related Brain Plasticity Across Early Childhood.

Developmental science·2026
Same journal

Recognition of Familiar Wordforms and Phonological Variation in Akan by Multilingual Infants Learning African Tone Languages in Ghana.

Developmental science·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Exploring the Role of Deontic Reasoning and World Knowledge in Wason´s Selection Task
06:08

Exploring the Role of Deontic Reasoning and World Knowledge in Wason´s Selection Task

Published on: July 22, 2025

1.0K

Is conditional reasoning related to mathematical problem solving?

Terry Tin-Yau Wong1,2

  • 1Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Developmental Science
|December 22, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Children's logical reasoning, specifically modus ponens (MP) inferences, significantly boosts mathematical problem-solving skills. This connection is facilitated by number sentence construction abilities, highlighting the importance of relational processing in math.

More Related Videos

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
10:26

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

4.5K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

6.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Exploring the Role of Deontic Reasoning and World Knowledge in Wason´s Selection Task
06:08

Exploring the Role of Deontic Reasoning and World Knowledge in Wason´s Selection Task

Published on: July 22, 2025

1.0K
Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
10:26

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

4.5K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

6.5K

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Conditional reasoning is a fundamental aspect of logical thinking.
  • Mathematical problem solving is a critical skill for academic success.
  • The relationship between logical reasoning and mathematical abilities in children warrants further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between conditional reasoning and mathematical problem solving in fourth-grade children.
  • To identify potential mediating factors, such as number sentence construction and computation, in this relationship.
  • To control for confounding variables like IQ, working memory, and reading ability.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 124 fourth graders was assessed.
  • Participants' conditional reasoning skills, mathematical problem solving abilities, and control variables were measured.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to determine predictive and mediating relationships.

Main Results:

  • The ability to make modus ponens (MP) inferences significantly predicted mathematical problem solving performance.
  • This predictive relationship remained significant after controlling for IQ, working memory, and reading ability.
  • Number sentence construction skills were identified as a significant mediator.

Conclusions:

  • Conditional reasoning, particularly modus ponens, is a significant predictor of mathematical problem solving in children.
  • The findings suggest that the ability to construct number sentences is a key mechanism linking conditional reasoning to mathematical problem solving.
  • These results underscore the importance of developing logical reasoning skills to enhance mathematical competence in educational settings.