Mathematical imaginations and constructing algebraic concept

Abstract

Imagination has a valuable role in the process of education for humans. The purpose of the study to determine the role of mathematical imagination to construct an understanding of mathematical concepts. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to analyze students' gestures in understanding algebraic expression. It involved 32 in Junior high school students in Semarang city. Time triangulation was utilized to assure data validity. The results showed that students employed. The results: 1) imagination involved to understand the concept of variables, coefficients or constants is perception visualization that presents the possibility of actions representing a container, representing sum of objects in a container and representing representing sum of objects; 2) imagination in other processes is perception visualization that presents the possibility of action giving examples of algebraic expression, giving examples rather than algebraic expression, and identifying equations. This study yields an important description of misconceptions that are detected through students' imagination.