Comparing Ninth-Grade Students’ Approaches to Trigonometric Ratio Problems Through Real-World and Symbolic Contexts

Abstract

This study investigates the problem-solving strategies employed by ninth-grade students when addressing symbolic and real-world contextual problems involving trigonometric ratios. Conducted with 46 ninth-grade students from a Turkish public high school, this research employed a worksheet consisting of six problems aligned with the Turkish ninth-grade mathematics curriculum. Three of these problems were based on real-world contexts, while the other three were conventional symbolic problems. The findings indicate that students exhibited proficiency in identifying similarity ratios using side length ratios. Additionally, the results revealed that students were more adept at solving real-world mathematical scenarios compared to purely symbolic tasks. This study offers significant insights into the problem-solving strategies of ninth-grade students when confronted with trigonometric ratio problems. It underscores crucial implications for mathematics curricula and pedagogy, highlighting the importance of preparing ninth-grade students for success in their future academic and professional endeavors. The study emphasizes the necessity for a balanced approach in teaching, integrating both real-world and symbolic problem-solving tasks to enhance students’ mathematical understanding and application. By identifying the strengths and areas for improvement in students’ problem-solving strategies, this research contributes to the development of more effective educational practices that address the diverse needs of learners.