Students' Thinking Processes Connecting Quantities in Solving Covariation Mathematical Problems in High School Students of Indonesia

Authors : Syarifuddin Syarifuddin, Toto Nusantara, Abd. Qohar, Makbul Muksar

Pages : 59-78

Doi:10.17275/per.20.35.7.3

View : 26 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2020-12-01

Article Type : Research

Abstract :The purpose of this study was to describe students' thinking processes in relating quantities to the problem of covariation in the process of solving mathematical problems. This study used a descriptive exploratory approach within the scope of qualitative research involving 87 students as prospective subjects from three different high schools. The schools were chosen from three different areas; where two schools were on Sumbawa island namely in Bima district and Bima town. The subject described was chosen by giving assignments related to the covariation problem. Data obtained from the answer sheets from the subjects while doing think aloud, the results of task-based interviews, and field notes. Supporting equipment for video and audio recording was used to take data of think aloud and interview. Data analysis was conducted retrospectively by combining answer sheets, think aloud, interview results and field notes with reference to APOS theory. The results obtained from students' thinking processes in connecting the quantities of covariation were two, namely Connecting Quantity by direct analytic and equation analytic. In general, it was found that students connected quantities in covariation problem solving by linking changing-quantity along with the changes in other quantities internally or externally through mathematical analysis to form new quantities based on quantitative operations.
Keywords : connecting quantities, covariation problem solving, quantitative reasoning, APOS theory