Critical thinking and communication skills of 10th grade students in trigonometry

Abstract

This study aims to determine the mathematical critical thinking and communication skills of high school students in trigonometry materials. This research uses descriptive qualitative approach. Subjects were randomly selected from 10th grade as many as five students. The instrument used was a test of critical thinking skills, communication, and non-tests in the form of an attitude scale questionnaire of 16 statements. The results showed that students had critical thinking skills and communication in the low category. Students are not able to complete trigonometry questions completely. This is because students are poorly trained in solving trigonometric problems with non-routine questions. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that: (1) mathematical critical thinking skills of five students of class X on trigonometry material are still relatively low. (2) Mathematical communication skills of five students of class X on trigonometry are still relatively low. (3) There is a relationship between critical thinking skills and mathematical communication of students. (4) And students' attitudes toward mathematics learning, tests of mathematical critical thinking, and communication skills on trigonometric material are good. So the critical thinking skills and mathematical communication of five students in trigonometry material are still lacking because students have difficulty in modeling trigonometry problems, and stuck with modification questions because many students are not able to complete the answers to the questions given.