Using bar model to solve word problems on profit, loss and discount

Abstract

With Brunei's participation in the PISA starting 2018, there is a need to improve students' mathematics competencies, particularly their problem solving skills. The Bar Model is a distinctive problem-solving strategy introduced in Singapore and is one of the key to Singapore's success in PISA 2012 Problem Solving. This action research examined the use of Bar Model to help fifty Year 9 students in one government school in Brunei in solving word problems involving profit, loss and discount. Paired-sample t-test revealed significant difference in the mean score at p < 0.0 5 between the pre-test (M = 4.76) and post-test (M = 6.10) after intervention lessons. Despite the mean mark of post-test still lower than the passing mark, there is an overall increase in the number of students who improved in the post-test compared to the pre-test. In item-by-item analysis, improvements were observed in most questions; however questions on percentage calculation of profit, loss and discount still indicated small improvement, with two items decreased in the post-test performance. With more practice and guidance, particularly to overcome similar common errors done by students in the post-test, the Bar Model is a valuable problem-solving strategy in attempting word problem question, and help enhance students' problem-solving competencies.