Abstract
In the paper, the use of heuristic solving strategies, one of the ways of developing pupils' creative approach to problem solving, is discussed. Heuristic strategies are used in Polya's and Schoenfeld's understanding of the concept.
The theoretical background of the research is Brousseau's Theory of Didactical Situations. Most attention is paid to the question of whether pupils' use of heuristic strategies can result in an improvement f their abilities to solve problems whose solving algorithms are not easily accessible to them.
The use of heuristic strategies is explored in two different perspectives: how heuristic strategies develop pupils' understanding of mathematics when they are used and how teachers change in consequence to giving their pupils the chance to use these strategies.