Abstract

• The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between problem solving ability and logical mathematical intelligence of middle school students. The research design for this study was descriptive (survey) research design and it was conducted in Nattalin District, Bago Region (West). The participants of this study were (450) Grade Eight students and the questionnaire for problem solving ability including (25) items, the questionnaire for logical mathematical intelligence including (25) items and eight open-ended questions were used as an instrument. In order to address the research questions, the descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage) and the inferential statistics (Pearson product-moment correlation) were used. The comparison of mean values of problem solving abilities indicated that the mean score of confident problem solving ability was the highest and that of avoidant problem solving ability was the lowest among six dimensions of problem solving ability. The result of the finding of logical mathematical intelligence indicated that most students possess the moderate level of logical mathematical intelligence. Moreover, the result also showed that problem solving ability was moderately correlated with logical mathematical intelligence of middle school students (r = .464). The results of eight open-ended questions indicated that some students skip the steps and get wrong answers while they are solving problems, they have to use previously learned concepts and they can manage challenging problems by calming down their mind and by using self-monitoring activities but sometimes they face difficulties according to misunderstanding and nearly all students use their logical mathematical intelligence for making various activities.