Students’ difficulties in solving trigonometric equations and identities

Abstract

This study aims to identify the types of difficulties experienced by high school students in solving equations and trigonometric identities. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research method to describe the facts of students’ difficulties in solving equations and trigonometric identities. The data collection technique in this study is by using respondents’ ability tests and interviews. Students involved in this study are 72 students of grade XI of senior high schools in the city of Bandung. Based on the results of data analysis, there are three aspects of students ‘difficulties in solving trigonometric equations and also there are three aspects of students’ difficulties in solving trigonometric identity problems. The difficulties of students in solving trigonometric equations, namely the difficulty of students in deciphering the form of the problem, difficulty in factoring in the form of trigonometric quadratic equations, and difficulties using the basic trigonometric equations. Whereas, the difficulties of students in solving trigonometric identity problems, namely the difficulty of students applying general trigonometry formulas, difficulty in describing each of the trigonometric comparison relationships, and difficulties in performing algebraic calculations.