Is causal reasoning related to mathematical problem solving?

Abstract

Despite the established connections between logical reasoning and mathematics, the role of foundational reasoning skills, such as causal reasoning, in mathematical problem solving remains underexplored. This study investigated the relationship between causal reasoning abilities (temporal knowledge, directional knowledge, valency knowledge, resolving confounding evidence, and counterfactual reasoning) and mathematical problem solving skills (number line representation, understanding mathematical principles, and number sentence construction) among 128 first and second-grade students from Hong Kong. The results showed that better directional knowledge predicted less errors in number line representation. The ability to resolve confounding evidence predicted better understanding of mathematical principles. Valency knowledge and the ability to resolve confounding evidence predicted better performance in constructing number sentences. These findings suggest that nurturing causal reasoning skills may have important implications for the development of children's mathematical problem solving abilities.