The Stages of Student Mathematical Imagination in Solving Mathematical Problems

Abstract

This research is a qualitative study that aimed to describe the stages of students mathematical imagination in solving mathematical problems. There are three kinds of mathematical imagination in solving mathematical problems, namely sensory mathematical imagination, creative mathematical imagination and recreative mathematical imagination. Students can produce one kind of mathematical imagination or other kinds of mathematical imagination. Problem sheet is used as a supporting instrument to find out the stages of students mathematical imagination in solving problems. Three students are used as research subjects in whom students were able to produce their mathematical imagination in solving mathematical problems. The results showed that there are three stages of students mathematical imagination in solving mathematical problems, the first stage is sensory mathematical imagination, the second stage is creative mathematical imagination, and the last stage is recreative mathematical imagination.