Analysis of Students’ Error in Solving Quadratic Equations Using Newman’s Procedure

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to determine the type of errors made by the students when solving the problems related to quadratic equations and to identify the factors that lead students to make these errors in the test. The type of error is based on Newman Error Analysis that includes reading type error, comprehension error, transformation error, process skill error and encoding error. A diagnostic test was used as the instrument of this study and a semi-structured interview was used to identify the causes of students' committing such errors from the perspective of the students themselves. The samples were made up of 30 Form Four students from a secondary school in Malaysia. Data was analysed using descriptive statistic and qualitative content analysis. The findings showed that most students make errors in transformation and comprehension while the number of students who make encoding errors was small and there were no reading errors found. Based on test results, interviews were conducted among three students with different levels of understanding. The main reason students make errors in solving quadratic equations is a lack of understanding of the basic concepts and the learning styles. Teacher and student must understand the importance to eliminate these errors in solving quadratic equation which will give huge impact to the students' learning mathematics in the future.

Development of Higher-Order Thinking Skills test instrument on Quadratic Equation (HOTS-QE) for secondary school students

“…In conclusion, it is important to use a valid and highly reliable test to identify students' level of HOTS and weaknesses on the topic of quadratic equations. This statement is supported by the findings of Thomas and Mahmud (2021) which suggest that overcoming weaknesses such as errors in quadratic equations at an early stage will have a major impact on complex mathematics learning in the future. Although HOTS-based learning approaches are often used in mathematics classes, no specific tests aimed at identifying the level of HOTS in quadratic equations have been developed.…”

“…Numerous past studies reported that students often make quadratic equation mistakes and these errors also occur at all levels. Among the contributing factor to such weakness is that students find it difficult to give meaning or understand the terms used to represent the roots of the quadratic equations (Thomas & Mahmud, 2021). They also often make mistakes when solving quadratic equations, especially in the process of conducting operations to reach the solutions and finding the possible values for substitute variables along with the lack of understanding about fractions, integers, linear equations, negative numbers, and basic mathematical properties such as algebraic expansion (Herawaty et al, 2021).…”

Difficulties and Errors of Grade 9 Learners in Solving Quadratic Equation: Input to the Development of Strategic Intervention Material

“…According to Yeow et al (2019), QE seems to be an easy topic to learn which involves basic skills that can be applied in sports and architecture. At school level learners are required to solve QE problems in examinations and standardized tests and here it is found that they have serious challenges because they do not master the topic (Thomas & Mahmud, 2021). Although QE is seen as an easy, important and compulsory topic in mathematics, it seems to be more difficult to learn and master compared to other mathematical topics (Güner, 2017).…”

Students’ Errors in Problem-Solving Reviewed From the Perspective of Math Resilience

“…The five stages are the reading stage, understanding stage, transformation stage, process skills stage, and coding stage (Tayeb et al, 2018). Based on research (Alhara et al, 2021;Anggraini et al, 2022;Thomas & Mahmud, 2021) that with Newman analysis teachers are helped in mapping students' difficulties in problem solving so that teachers can provide solutions, one of which is by developing innovative learning. So it is important for teachers to carry out the Newman procedure to find out students' difficulties so that teachers Students' Errors in Problem-Solving Reviewed from the Perspective of Math Resilience Aulia Puspita Dewi, Wikan Budi Utami, Sri Adi Widodo, Muhammad Budi Haryono, Benjamin Laurentino Vaz, Fikri Aulia can develop learning that is appropriate to students' needs, so that students have mathematical problem solving abilities.…”