Abstract: Two types of mathematical word problems were developed:nonvisual problems(NVP)and visual problems(VP).By using mathematics test and individual interview,this study investigated visual-spatial representations in mathematical word problem solving among 54 elementary school students with different mathematical performance in grade 4,grade 5,and grade 6.The results showed that:Schematic representations promote NVP and VP solving success,whereas pictorial representations may present an obstacle to NVP solving but show no correlations with VP solving;therefore schematic representations and pictorial representations may have different meanings in the two types of mathematical word problems.The students in grade 6 performed better than the others in mathematical problem solving and use of schematic representations,but no grade differences existed in use of pictorial representations.The low-achievers in mathematics were poor in use of schematic representations,but the extent of use of pictorial representations in VP solving was higher than that of high-achievers and average-achievers.The high-achievers performed better than the others in transferring from non-visual-spatial representations to schematic representations in NVP solving.

Key words: mathematical word problem solving, nonvisual problems(NVP), visual problems(VP), visual-spatial representations, schematic representations, pictorial representations