Analysis of Student Difficulties in Answering the Story Problem in Mathematics Learning Class VII at SMPN 25 Padang

Abstrak

This research is motivated by the large number of students who have difficulty in answering math problem comparisons. In addition, the final grade of the odd semester math test for grade VII students of SMPN 25 Padang in the academic year 2017/2018 is still much below the KKM value. For this reason, it is necessary to analyze the difficulties experienced by students in answering story problems in comparison material.

The purpose of this research is to identify students' difficulties in answering story problems. This type of research is descriptive research and uses qualitative research methods. The study population was all seventh grade students of SMP 25 Padang. Sampling using purposive sampling technique and selected class VII₂ as the research sample. Research instruments in the form of student test results and interviews.

The results of this study indicate that: 1) many as 57.24% students have difficulty understanding the problem, 2) many as 100% of students have difficulty translating questions, 3) students who have difficulty in the problem solving process are 46.90%. Based on interviews and test results found several causes of student difficulties in answering story problens, that is derived from internal factors and external factors.

From the results of the study, suggestions that researchers can give so that the difficulties experienced by students can be reduced, namely that the teacher should give practice questions that are done by students in the form of story problems. Then the teacher should analyze the difficulties that are often experienced by students in answering questions so that they can determine the right steps to overcome these difficulties. Teachers should also teach students how to convert mathematical sentences into mathematical symbols.

Keywords: student difficulties, story problem, mathematics learning.