Misconceptions and Errors in Integer Operations: A Study in Preservice Elementary School Teachers (PGSD)

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the types of misconceptions conducted by preservice elementary teachers (PGSD) students in integer operations. Misconceptions are classified into 3 types: 1) Careless Errors (Ca); 2) Concept errors (Co); 3) Careless errors and Concept errors (Ca and Co). The researcher presented 6 problems about of integer operation to 45 students of PGSD (preservice teachers for elementary school) students that were taking elementary mathematics subject. The results showed that 10% of students made Careless errors (Ca) misconceptions in integer addition and subtraction. The highest portion of the students, 53% performed Concept error (Co) in subtracting negative numbers. Another 9% showed Careless and Concept error (Ca and Co) misconception in subtraction of integers of the same sign (negative with negative or positive with positive).