The Relationship between Cognitive Flexibility and Mathematical Literacy: Insights from Indonesian Elementary Students

This study investigates the relationship between mathematical literacy and cognitive flexibility in solving complex problems among Indonesian elementary school students aged 9–10 n = 78. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined quantitative testing and qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of this relationship. The findings indicate that students with higher levels of both literacy and flexibility performed significantly better in problem-solving. However, students with high flexibility but low literacy struggled to grasp mathematical concepts while those with high literacy but low flexibility showed rigid problem-solving approaches. Despite these differences, all students demonstrated potential for improvement with adequate teacher support. These results emphasize the importance of tailored educational strategies to enhance both mathematical literacy and cognitive flexibility especially in developing countries like Indonesia.