AN EXAMINATION OF DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY JSS 2 STUDENTS IN LEARNING ALGEBRA WITH REFERENCE TO SIMPLE EQUATION
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Mathematics pervades every aspect of our lives. We use mathematics at home, at work, in the market, on the bus and every aspect of our daily life. Apart from this mundane level, mathematics is also the driving force behind the scientific and technological revolution mankind has ever witnessed. It is on record that virtually every discipline derives its credibility and reliability from mathematics. Given enormous importance of mathematics, it is expedient that every society should devise strategies of promoting mathematical literacy.
In Nigeria, the government has done little or nothing to encourage students study mathematics at all levels of education. It has been discovered that there is poor performance in the promotion/public examination in mathematics (Salman, Mohammed, Ogunlade & Ayinla; 2012). These internal and external examinations focus on component of mathematics like
i. Number and numeration ii. Algebra iii. Geometry and mensuration iv. Statistics
This means that a student 's overall performance is dependent on a proper understanding of each of the components above. Since algebra is an important component of mathematics that is examined at all levels in our Secondary School System, it is pertinent to examine the difficulties student, encounter in solving algebraic problems e.g linear equation. At the secondary school level, these difficulties include solving problems correctly on symbol manipulation, equations, inequalities and word problems. However, this study will emphasize on levels of difficulties students encounter in solving algebraic linear equations.
MacGregor (2004) listed the reasons as to why students should be helped to overcome difficulties in solving problems in algebra. First algebra is a vital part of the general knowledge of members in a democratic society. Second, it is a prerequisite for further study of mathematics. Third, it is crucial component of mathematical
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Mathematics pervades every aspect of our lives. We use mathematics at home, at work, in the market, on the bus and every aspect of our daily life. Apart from this mundane level, mathematics is also the driving force behind the scientific and technological revolution mankind has ever witnessed. It is on record that virtually every discipline derives its credibility and reliability from mathematics. Given enormous importance of mathematics, it is expedient that every society should devise strategies of promoting mathematical literacy.
In Nigeria, the government has done little or nothing to encourage students study mathematics at all levels of education. It has been discovered that there is poor performance in the promotion/public examination in mathematics (Salman, Mohammed, Ogunlade & Ayinla; 2012). These internal and external examinations focus on component of mathematics like
i. Number and numeration ii. Algebra iii. Geometry and mensuration iv. Statistics
This means that a student 's overall performance is dependent on a proper understanding of each of the components above. Since algebra is an important component of mathematics that is examined at all levels in our Secondary School System, it is pertinent to examine the difficulties student, encounter in solving algebraic problems e.g linear equation. At the secondary school level, these difficulties include solving problems correctly on symbol manipulation, equations, inequalities and word problems. However, this study will emphasize on levels of difficulties students encounter in solving algebraic linear equations.
MacGregor (2004) listed the reasons as to why students should be helped to overcome difficulties in solving problems in algebra. First algebra is a vital part of the general knowledge of members in a democratic society. Second, it is a prerequisite for further study of mathematics. Third, it is crucial component of mathematical
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