Wahyuni, Reni and Herman, Tatang and Fatimah, Siti (2023) Letters in Algebra as The transition from Arithmetic Thinking to Algebraic Thinking. Mosharafa: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 12 (3). pp. 441-452. ISSN 2086-4280

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Abstract

Algebraic letters are usually only known as variables by students, even though these algebraic letters have a variety of meanings in a mathematical problem. This study aims to investigate students' interpretation of the meaning of algebraic letters in solving mathematical problems from the perspective of students in the transition period from arithmetic to algebraic thinking. The type of research used in qualitative research is phenomenological research. The participants of this study were 18 junior high school students taken from three schools in Riau. Data collection techniques in this study were student worksheet documents, audio- and video-recorded interviews, and research field notes. Based on the research findings on the seventh-grade students, it was found that students interpret algebraic letters only as a substitute for certain numbers. Students make algebraic letters as a substitute for natural numbers rather than as generalized numbers. Algebraic letters associated with algebraic expressions, algebraic operations, and algebraic equations deliver difficulties for students in solving these problems. This is because students have not been able to see that these algebraic letters are a series of basic concepts of generalized numbers in algebra, even on the concept of variables.

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