Students' Learning Obstacles on the Topic of Pythagorean Theorem

Abstract

Pythagorean theorem is one of the most important theorems in geometry, but in fact some students faced obstacles in learning this topic. This study aims to obtain a description of students' learning obstacles on the topic of Pythagorean theorem. This research was qualitative with a case study design. The research subject was given test dealing with Pythagorean theorem involved 25 students of grade 8thof a junior high school in Padang Pariaman, 4 of which also participated in the interview. The data were analyzed using the stages of data collecting, reducing, and analyzing to get conclusion. The results showed that there are students' learning obstacles, which include oncogenic obstacle, didactical obstacle, and epistemological obstacle. The results of this study can be used to design an instructional material to anticipate the learning obstacles that will be faced by students.