ABSTRACT
Recent years have brought renewed emphasis on problem solving. Many claim that problem solving has been an essential ingredient since the beginning of formalized consideration of mathematics. History of mathematics textbooks frequently state that mathematical development should be in the context of problems. For example, Newman (1956) wrote that it is generally accepted that the ancient Egyptians invented geometry (geo meaning Earth, metry meaning measure) in order to restore land boundaries associated with landmarks swept away periodically by flooding of the Nile River.
