Özet:

It is shown by the researches that students have been having misconceptions and difficulties in calculus containing geometry and algebra which is in almost every university mathematics program. The students, who are not able to use analytical and visual parts in integral volume problems by definite integrals, can reach the incorrect answers. This study is trying to answer the question "Is there any difference between the integral volume problem solving approaches of calculus students with different thinking styles?"so that the relationship between the thinking styles and the problem-solving approaches are investigated throughout the solution processes. 24 second year student teachers from the primary mathematics education department of a state university are the participants of this study and chosen by nonprobability purposive sampling. This study uses qualitative approach and has a comparative case study design. Research instruments used to collect the data were tests and interviews. The Mathematical Process Instrument was used to determine the type of participants' mathematical thinking and then their integral volume problem solving approaches and behavior were analyzed by task-based interviews. Descriptive statistics were analyzed interview data and used as a supportive data as well. Findings showed that differences of thinking styles have no forthrightly influence on the problem solving approaches and performance. However, it is found that participants with different thinking styles had a dissimilar apprehension in terms of using, interpreting and preferring the visual processes in problem solution. Keywords: Problem solving approach, characteristics of problem, mathematical thinking types

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