Profile of students' errors in trigonometry equations

Abstract

Learning activities during lessons do not only teach a material, but also need evaluation of those learning. One way to evaluate students' learning is by knowing the students' mistakes related to the material being taught. This study aims to determine errors and their causes in solving trigonometric equation problems. Data collection is done through tests, interviews, and observations. The research test instrument consists of 3 trigonometric equation questions. From 203 students of SMA Batik 1 Surakarta, there were 34% of data errors, 32.35% of concept errors 45.15% of strategy errors, 34.81% of calculation error and 30.38% of conclusion error. The common cause of these errors is that students do not understand the concept of trigonometric periods or angles in various quadrants, students forget the trigonometric values at special angles and students are not careful enough in doing or solving the problem.