Background: Evidence suggests mathematics is a field of learning that drives the global educational curriculum. Mathematics is viewed as interlinked to the technological and scientific knowledge pool. Mathematics is taught as a core subject in senior high school in Ghana to boast the students’ abilities in solving problems. However, there is limited evidence on factors influencing poor mathematics performance by Ghanaian Senior High School students. Aim: This paper investigates the factors which contribute to poor mathematics performance and attempts to give a feasible policy direction to improve performance and scale-up mathematic scare in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination. Method: A quantitative survey approach was used to conduct the study. Four hundred and Forty (440) senior high school students were sampled from form one to form three in Kumasi Metropolis. The sample size comprised 240 girls and 200 boys. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the results of the study. Results: Findings from the study reveals that poor mathematics performance is attributed to three causes (i.) Lack of coverage of mathematics curriculum content, (ii). Lack of interest in mathematics, and (iii). the belief that they cannot understand mathematics. Conclusion: We recommend the syllabus should be revised by integrating and focusing on topics that build the mathematical know-how to solve real-life problem/issue counters.
Computing the inverse of 3 x 3 square matrices using known methods such as Gauss-Jordon Method needs more time. During examination, candidates need to go through long process to find the inverse of 3 x 3 square matrices. Some students also find it very difficult and confusing when using Gauss-Jordon and Adjugate methods to find the inverse of the matrix. In this note, we present a new method that is simple and easy way of finding the inverse of 3 x 3 square matrices. We further give some applications of matrices in the real world phenomenon. Many other challenging problems can be addressed surprisingly by applying this strategy.
The study's major purpose was to investigate the factors that influence engineering mathematics performance in Ghanaian technical universities. Three hundred and fifteen (315) participants were surveyed using questionnaires and six (6) expert interviews. Descriptive variables were examined using cross-tabulation, univariate, and bivariate statistical methods. The logistic regression model and Pearson's chi-square test were used to examine the relationship between the dependent variable (engineering student performance) and the predictive variables respectively. The study's findings revealed that several factors influence students’ performance in engineering mathematics, including age, terrible strain, and level of interest. It was revealed by an expert’s interview that students from senior high school like engineering mathematics whiles those from technical senior high school do not like engineering mathematics because of their poor background in mathematics. To reinvigorate students’ performance in this course area, pre-calculus classes for older students should be arranged to assist them to refresh their memory, according to the study, students should be encouraged to devote a significant amount of time to engineering mathematics coupled with tutorials.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.