The Method to Solve Problems About Fraction by Using the Manipulative Media

Abstract

Mathematics has an important role in the world of education because it supports science in other fields, such as physics, chemistry, biology and science. Mathematics learning is abstract, so mathematics learning should be carried out in a fun, interesting manner and easily understood by students. One of them was the material on the concept of fractions and their operations that have been studied at the elementary school level. Based on the previous research, this material was still found difficult to understand by students, especially if the denominators were different. Usually, the teacher uses the conventional method, namely equating the denominator of the fraction by determining the Biggest Guild Multiples. It is very rare for teachers to use assistive media in learning these fractions. Therefore, this article discusses the alternative method to solve problems about fractions by using manipulative media, namely media in the form of paper that can be turned, cut, shifted, moved, drawn, sorted, grouped and classified. This type of research was a literature study, using secondary data in the form of journals and relevant books. Furthermore, the data were analyzed by conducting studies on examples of solving fraction problems by using manipulative media, assessing their advantages and also disadvantages and comparing them with the conventional methods. The results showed that solving fraction problems by using the manipulative media was more fun, more attractive in terms of appearance and easier to understand because of direct practice using the media. It is suggested that teachers can apply this alternative method in the class, especially for students who do not understand the conventional methods in solving the fraction problems.