Difficulties faced by eighth grade students in the learning of linear equation problems at a high school in Heredia

Authors

  • Gilberto Chavarría Arroyo Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

Keywords:

learning difficulties, equation problems, mathematical learning

Abstract

The current article presents the results of a study that aimed to analyze the difficulties faced by eighth grade students when learning to solve algebraic problems based on linear equations with one unknown variable. The participants were learners with low average performance in mathematics at a high school in Heredia. The research followed a naturalistic paradigm and the case study method with a qualitative approach. Different techniques like class observations, questionnaires to students, non-structured interviews to teachers and interviews to the learners were applied. The research helped to identify the main causes of difficulty when learning to solve algebraic problems. Some of the causes that were identified are affective aspects, lack of previous knowledge, poor relational understanding, fatigue, diversion, reading deficiencies and misunderstanding of terminology.

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Published

2014-07-01

Issue

Section

Original scientific papers (evaluated by academic peers)

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