Difficulties Encountered By Grade 8 Students in Solving Rational Algebraic Expression Word Problems at Dagatan National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Every individual is unique. Each individual differs from one another in any aspect of life such as physical, psychological, social, and religious. Differences can be encountered in hobbies and interests such as subjects in school. Mathematics is a subject that often takes for granted because of the idea that it is difficult. It is saddening to know that many students reject the study of Mathematics on the grounds that it has no emotional appeal or too abstract, too barren and too impractical. But if they realize its importance they may love it, because it possesses truth and supreme beauty. In the study of Algebra, solving word problems on the Rational Algebraic Expressions is necessities. The researcher, being a Mathematics teacher herself observed that most of her students have a hard time solving algebraic problems and equations.

METHODS

The descriptive method was used to determine the difficulties encountered and proposed remedies for the students regarding the problem on how to make the students understand problem-solving. The respondents of the study were the fifty select students from the eight sections of grade 8 (SY 2018-2019). Through the support of the school head and department head, the study was pursued. The researcher looked for some related studies regarding the problem. The questionnaire was used to gather information from the respondents. The response was tallied and analyzed. Weighted Mean was used to determine which among those given factors of difficulties encountered affect much on the learning of the students as well as the remedies.

RESULTS

After the results were tallied, analyzed and statistically treated, it was made certain that several difficulties do exist in the Mathematics classes. Apparently, students' performance was also affected by these difficulties encountered. With this, a plan of action to remedy this malady was constructed and applied. This plan of action highlights some activities which were done to minimize if not totally eliminate the existence of fear in solving word problems.

DISCUSSIONS

After the results were tallied, analyzed and statistically treated, it was made certain that several difficulties do exist in the Mathematics classes. Apparently, students' performance was also affected by these difficulties encountered. With this, a plan of action to remedy this malady was constructed and applied. This plan of action highlights some activities which were done to minimize if not totally eliminate the existence of fear in solving word problems.