Problem Solving Ability: A case study in Postgraduate Mathematics Student

Abstract

Problem solving is the ability which can be used not only to solve a simple problem but also a complicated problem. It is a skill which can be trained in every level of education. Therefore, teachers are required to be able to trill this ability and an obligation for mathematics teacher to have an excellent problem solving skills. This research aimed to explore the ability of postgraduate students to solve mathematics problems. Mathematics postgraduate student at Universitas Negeri Surabaya had been chosen as a subject. The instrument was developed based on Polya (1973). Firstly, we did literature reviews in order to explore what kind of problem solving test which could be used to mapping student ability. Moreover, we constructed a student's worksheet with high order thinking problem. It had been analysed to find out the student's ability. The result showed that students' ability in solving mathematics problem is bad. Almost 100% subjects understand about the problem, unfortunately only 50% of students are able to use the data. It is about 50% of students are able to connect their knowledge with the problem and only 60% subjects are able to make a plan and able to implement it.

Developing complex analysis textbook to enhance students’ critical thinking

“…It is relevant to the study derived by Khabibah. It said that by knowing what constitutes an argument will help you identify what is happening when someone makes an inadequate solution (Khabibah, Manuharawati, & Agung, 2018;Kristanto, Amin, & Khabibah, 2016). This study has developed the textbook reflect on result ask question…”