Problem-solving and mathematical connections are two important things in learning mathematics, namely as the goal of learning mathematics. However, it is unfortunate that the ability of students 'mathematical connections is very low so that it impacts on students' failure in solving mathematical problems. The writing of this paper aims to discuss the understanding of mathematical problems, mathematical problem solving, mathematical connections, and how they play a role in solving mathematical problems. The method used in writing this paper is a method of studying literature, which is reinforced by the example of a qualitative research result. The research subjects consisted of two eighth grade students of junior high school in Jember East Java, Indonesia, in 2017/2018. The research data consisted of written test results solving the mathematical problem as well as interview results. Data analysis uses descriptive qualitative analysis. From the results of literature studies and research results provide a conclusion that mathematical connections play an important role, namely as a tool for students to use in solving mathematical problems where students who have good mathematical connection skills succeed in solving mathematical problems well, while poor mathematical connection skills cause students to fail in solving mathematical problems.

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This study aimed at describing the mathematical connection profile of Junior High School students in solving mathematical problems based on gender difference. The subjects were two eighth grade students who had the same math ability. They were one male student and one female student. Subjects were selected by giving a math ability test, and based on the same scores at a middle level. The research type was exploration with a qualitative approach. Data were taken by interviewing the subject in depth on the basis of Task problem-solving. The problem-solving task contained narrative matter related to Geometry matter and Social Arithmetic. Data credibility used time triangulation. Data analysis was done by data categorization, data reduction, data display, data interpretation, and conclusion. The research results showed that male student connected and used mathematical ideas in the Abstrak : Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk men deskripsikan profil koneksi matematis siswa Sekolah Menengah Pertama dalam memecahkan masalah matematika berdasarkan perbedaan gender.form of facts, concepts/principles, and mathematical symbols in sufficient quantity, and they were linked appropriately and the mathematical ideas connection were used effectively so that it could solve problems correctly. The female student made a connection with mathematical ideas in excessive quantity and the connection was not appropriate, so the student could not solve the problem correctly. This indicated that mathematical connection profile of male student in solving mathematical problems was an efficient, strong, and effective category. On the other hand, the mathematical connection profile of female student in solving mathematical problems was in the category of inefficient, weak, and ineffective. From this result, it is suggested to the math teachers to create a learning process that is able to facilitate all students to practice improving their mathematical connection ability so they are able to succeed in solving mathematical problems.

The poor quality of mathematics learning process is a factor influence the low of mathematics students' achievement, where there are still many teachers using a conventional teaching method at school. This results in students' failure to learn the subject. Therefore, the teachers should apply some models and approach of mathematics learning which hopefully can improve the quality of mathematics education in Indonesia.