Proficiency in Algebraic Equations as a Predictor of Secondary School Students’ Academic Achievement in Mathematics

Abstract

Mathematics is a tool for achieving educational and economic goals and aims in a nation or society. Thus, being good in mathematics will pave the way to excel in other subjects. Algebra has always been one of the main subjects in mathematics all over the world. This is probably due to the fact that algebra is the door to the extension of complex arithmetic calculations. This study therefore examined proficiency in algebraic equation as predictors of secondary school students’ performance in mathematics in Benin Metropolis. To achieve this, four research questions were raised. The design of this study was survey. The population of the study consisted of all the public junior secondary schools in Benin Metropolis, Edo State. One thousand one hundred and forty (1,140) students from 38 junior secondary schools serve as the sample for the study. The instrument for the data collection was an achievement test constructed by the researcher, which was drawn from past Basic Education Certificate Examination conducted by the National Examination Council for the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 academic sessions. The validity of the instrument was presumed to have been carried out by the National Examination Council, being an examination body saddled with the responsibility of conducting examinations in Nigeria. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 and it gave the reliability indices of 0.90 and 0.93 respectively. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, two-way Analysis of Variance, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r). The finding that emerged from the study revealed that the level of students’ proficiency in solving algebraic equations and mathematics was low. A significant relationship existed between proficiency in solving algebraic equations and students’ performance in mathematics, and sex was not a determining factor in students’ proficiency in algebraic equations and performance. It was recommended among others that teachers should ensure that students are well taught using various methods that will promote their comprehension of mathematical concepts.