The purpose of this study was to analyze problem solving performance for a gifted student of the seventh grader. We were mostly interested in his spontaneous (non-algebraic) method of solving non-routine problems. Originally, our attention and efforts were placed on his performance from the various dimensions of resources,heuristics, and control. Later on, we found he has excellent intuitive ability to see the problem solving clues from the problem context. Therefore, the level of problem complexity was often decreased and the shortcut of problem solving was found.Indeed, it was our belief that approaching problem as he did in this study, by gaining an appreciation of the use of relevant clues, may help students construct an understanding in problem solving. Finally, some discussions and suggestions about the viewpoints of resource, heuristic, control, and intuitive ability were provided as well. |