The recent study by the Mathematical Society of Japan has revealed that Japanese university students can calculate according to standard formulas within a limited time but they cannot explain why they use particular calculation methods because they do not understand the basic theories behind them.
Only 1.2 percent of the university students surveyed answered all five questions correctly, even though the questions were primary and middle school level.
Lack of mathematical skill is a serious problem even among students in science and engineering majors and those who took a math exam at the preliminary university entrance examinations administered by the government. (Yomiuri)
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