Students’ mathematical critical thinking ability on cube and cuboid problems

Abstract

The critical thinking ability becomes a prerequisite and purpose in learning Mathematics today. This study was aimed to analyze the mathematical critical thinking ability of students by using four indicators: identifying concept characteristics, selecting strategies for solving problems, providing complete and correct explanations, and evaluating the solution of problem. This was a descriptive research. Data collection was done by giving the test of mathematical thinking ability about cube and cuboid to 38 students in one of junior high schools in Lembang District. The results showed that the average ability of students in identifying the characteristics of the concept was about 43.7%, in choosing a strategy to solve the problem was about 17.9%, in providing a complete and correct explanation was about 26.8%, and in evaluating the solution of problem was about 21.1 % from the ideal score. According to the result, it showed the student need to enhance in critical thinking ability.