Analysis of The Difficulty of VIIIth Grade Junior High School Students in Circle Material Reviewed from The Mathematics Connection Ability

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the difficulty of VIIIth grade junior high school students in circle material reviewed from mathematical connection ability. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative with a case study approach. The subjects in this study were 23 eight grade in one of the junior high schools in Temanggung. Data collection is done by tests and interviews. The instrument used in this study are 3 questions about the material related to the Circle and interview guide to know where the students’ difficulties are. The results of data analysis showed students varied mathematical connection skills; some students belong to the high category while others are in the medium or low category. However, student’s ability to connect inter-mathematical concepts and apply mathematical concepts in solving daily problems are in the low category with 43.47% and 53.26%. The low mathematical connection ability of students is indicated by the low percentage of students who give correct answers, the low percentage on each indicator of mathematical connections, and errors made by students. Mistakes made by students show the difficulties experienced by students. The difficulty that is generally expressed by students is the difficulty of understanding the problem and the difficulty of determining the formula or theorem used to solve the problem.