Algebraic Thinking and Difficulties in Solving Mathematical Problem: A Case Study of 6th Grade in Primary School Destri Astrianingsih (a*). Wahyudin (b)
a) Pendidikan Dasar, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
*deztrii[at]student.upi.edu
b) Departemen Pendidikan Matematika, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
Abstract
This research aims to describe algebraic thinking and to identify students difficulties in solving mathematical problems. Algebraic thinking could be characterized by systematic analytical ways of an unknown quantity and quantity relationships and could be observed through students responses in solving mathematical problems. In order to do so, case study method was used in this research which based on a descriptive analysis. Participants were 47 students of 6th grade who worked on written test (solving math problems) and then 10 of them were interviewed afterward. The results indicate that few students have algebraic thinking skills. In addition, there are four students difficulties in solving problems such as 1) understanding the problem (specific keywords or definitions that exist in the problem), 2) understanding the concept of operation on rational numbers, and 3) understanding the concept of related problem (ex: fractions, proportion, and percentage), 4) connecting the information for solving the problems. These findings could be the basis for the development of future mathematical learning and related research.
Keywords: algebraic thinking, difficulties, solving mathematical problem
