The ability of multi-representation of junior high school students in solving algebra problem in the TIMSS model

Abstract

Algebra is one of mathematical topics that’s difficult to understand by students. Many symbols in algebra make students difficult, so multi-representation can help any student to understood. This study is to describe students ability of multi-representation in solving algebra problems. The sample of this qualitative study is the 8th grade students of SMPN 2 Waru Sidoarjo, East Java, there are eight class from A to G, we choose class VIII B was purposively chosen from eight classes and contains 20 girls and 18 boys. All students were given both maths ability test and problem solving test. There were 10 students with the high ability in algebra, 25 students with medium ability in algebra and 3 students with low ability in algebra. Two volunteer students with high ability in algebra who had interesting representations were chosen as our respondents. The semi-structured interview was utilized to investigate the process, representations and students conceptual of algebra. The representation use by the first student is symbolic representation and visual representation. The representation use by the second student is symbolic representation and verbal representation.