Table 1.

Overview of the arithmetic task.

	One-step arithmetic			Two-step arithmetic
	Example	k	Alpha	Example	k	Alpha
Symbolic	684–248=___	16	0.889	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.
Standard word problem	In total 684 contestants from different countries participated in a cycling race. During the race 248 contestants dropped out. How many contestants reached the finish?	8	0.822	Linda worked 4days for 37 euros a day. She buys a box with DVDs for 24 euros. How much does she have left?	8	0.829
Non-standard word problem	In total 684 contestants from 10 different countries participated in a cycling race. During the race 248 contestants dropped out. How many contestants reached the finish?	8	0.812	Linda worked 4days for 37 euros a day. She buys a box with 3 DVDs for 24 euros. How much does she have left?	8	0.805