About test problems with ambiguous solutions

Abstract

The article deals with test problems with ambiguous solutions and their appropriate and inappropriate use. The authors present several specific tasks and discuss different possible solutions. The main emphasis is on the problem of completing sequences of numbers and the notion of Kolmogorov complexity is introduced as a criterion for evaluating the difficulty of these problems. Ambiguous problems are common in cryptographic games and recreational mathematics, where they promote logical thinking and creativity. In a school setting, teachers should be prepared to accept a variety of correct solutions as long as they are logically justified. The paper emphasises the importance of clear and understandable expression in mathematics and highlights the risks associated with ambiguous problems in tests where clearly defined correct solutions are crucial.