Date of Award

1-1-2001

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Thesis

Divisions

Faculty of Education

Department

-

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to examine the problem solving process in learning Algebra, employed by the first semester students of diploma in engineering from an institute of higher learning. The research instrument comprised of five problem solving questions on basic Algebra. Six students were randomly selected as the research sample. The research data were the steps of written solutions shown by the sample. A modified scoring Rubric was used to analyse the process and the strategies used by the students to solve every problem solving question. The results of the study shows that some of the students in the research seem to put more emphasize on the algorithmic steps and were quite weak in the problem solving process which involved four phases, that of understanding or formulating the question in a problem, selecting or finding the data to solve the problem, formulating subproblems-selecting appropriate solutions strategies to pursue and finally correctly implementing the solution strategy or strategies. A variety of problem solving strategies were identified such as illustrating strategies for items 1 and 3, using the geometric sequence for item 2, changing to mathematical tern1s so as to come up with two simultaneous equations in order to get the values of two variables for item 4 and finally using table for item 5.

Initial

snms

Additional Information

Dissertation (M.A) -- Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya, 2001.

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