The Language of Numbers: Reading Comprehension and Applied Math Problem-Solving

Reading and mathematics are intricately linked through shared cognitive processes that underpin developmental relationships across domains. Despite extensive research on early-grade links between reading and basic arithmetic, gaps persist in understanding how reading comprehension (RC) supports applied math problem-solving (AMP) in older students and non-English contexts. The current study investigates the grade-level relationship between RC and AMP in typically developing Hebrew-speaking fourth (N = 41) and eleventh graders (N = 43), focusing on the contributions of working memory (WM), reading fluency, and arithmetic fluency. Results indicated significant positive associations between RC and AMP in both age groups. In fourth graders, arithmetic fluency partially statistically mediated the RC-AMP relationship in a cross-sectional mediation model. This indicates that students rely on computational proficiency to translate textual understanding into solutions. In contrast, eleventh graders exhibited a direct RC-AMP link, reflecting advanced comprehension and metacognitive strategies as computational skills are automatized. WM showed stronger correlations with RC and AMP among younger students, whereas these associations were weaker in older students. These findings support a Developmental Linguistic-Cognitive Scaffold Model, highlighting age-related shifts in cognitive and linguistic mechanisms supporting AMP. The results emphasize the need for integrated curricula incorporating RC strategies to enhance mathematical reasoning, particularly in morphologically rich languages like Hebrew.