Why Did Elementary Students Have Difficulty Working in Mathematical Literacy Questions?

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze students' learning difficulties in working on mathematical literacy questions. This research is qualitative research by taking data using tests, interviews, and observations. The results about the difficulty working in math literacy based on mathematical disposition have shown indicated that five factors cause students to find it hard to work on mathematical literacy questions. First, students have not understood the language, phrases, words, sentences, and the context of the story. Second, students were unable to make mathematical models or problem representations. Third, students did not understand mathematical concepts. Forth, students had wrong in performing mathematical procedures. Fifth, students were weak fighting power. From all these factors, students have a negative disposition toward mathematics which causes students to be unable or unwilling to solve mathematical literacy problems. The implication of the study shows that what must be improved is the negative mathematical disposition of students to be positive.