Students’ ability to simplify the concept of function through realistic mathematics learning with the ethnomathematics approach

Abstract

The concept of function was a basic concept that students must understand in mathematics learning. This concept needs to be implicated through realistic mathematical learning with the ethnomathematics approach. The purpose of this study was to describe students’ ability to simplify the concept of function through realistic mathematical learning with the ethnomathematics approach. This was part of the research development. This stage was the prototype phase. We apply realistic mathematics learning with the ethnomathematics approach. The instrument of this research was the assignment sheet and the in-depth interview sheet by the researcher. Data was collected through task-based interviews. It was analyzed qualitatively. The results of this study were that students were able to simplify the concept of function through realistic problems based on “andun dance” culture. He simplifies the concept of mapping. For example, f was a function from set A to B, students were able to simplify the concept of function f with Df = A (domain function f was A). Also, being able to explain with various real examples and being able to show the position of the concept of function in a deductive structure of mathematics. The conclusion of this study was that realistic mathematics learning with ethnomathematics approach can be a vehicle for students to simplify the concept of function to be more meaningful.