Analysis of Sixth Graders' Difficulties in Solving Mathematics Word Problems on Whole Numbers, Fractions, and Decimals

Abstract

Operation which involve whole numbers, fractions, and decimals are important concepts that must be possessed by students. It is a part of mathematics that is very close to everyday life. In fact, many students who have difficulty in understanding the fractions, especially in the word problems. This study aims to describe sixth graders' difficulties in solving mathematics word problems on the operation which involve whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. This research is descriptive with students of grade six as the subjects. Data were collected by tests and in-depth interviews. Tests were used to analyze students difficulties in solving mathematics word problems on the operation which involve whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Interviews were conducted to know the difficulties experienced by the students in depth. The unstructured interviews were conducted with students' error. The results showed that students' difficulties in solving mathematics word problems on the operation which involve whole numbers, fractions, and decimals are caused by: 1) Students' difficulties in the word problem, 2) Students' difficulties in understanding the concept of fractional operations, 3) Students have less numeracy skills, and 4) Inaccuracy.