Realistic mathematics education on teaching functions to develop algebraic thinking skills

Abstract

This study discusses how the notion of a function can be developed for high school students through the use various contexts that are close to students’ daily life or make sense to them. The Realistic Mathematics Education approach provides the framework that guides the discussions. The concept of function has become one of the basic ideas in modern mathematics that underlies almost all disciplines. But it proved to be one of the most difficult concepts in learning mathematics. The concept of function is often taught without connecting to everyday context. Formal mathematical symbolism of concept such as f(x) introduced prematurely to students which can lead to learning obstacle about functions. The study provides mathematics educators a hypothetical learning trajectory as a platform which facilitates a Realistic Mathematics Education approach to teaching function especially to develop algebraic thinking skills.