Can the spontaneous and uncritical application of the linear model be questioned?

Abstract

In this research paper we attempt to put in question students’ spontaneous and uncritical application of the simple and neat mathematical formula of linearity. This is impelled with the help of a written test, where students are instructed to select only one problem among three word problems of geometrical nature, so that it matches with a given numerical answer. The results show that students’ choices are systematic and are based on the solutions given to the tasks. Therefore, more than half of the students that solved the pseudo-proportionality problems linearly chose them as the most appropriate for each group of problems.