The analysis of students’ difficulty in learning linear algebra

Abstract

Linear algebra is one of the subjects that will be taken by students of mathematics education department. Most of students’ score was low. Thus, the purpose of this research was to analyze the students’ difficulty in learning linear algebra. 35 students of mathematics education department were chosen as the participant. In collecting the data, paper and pencil test and interview were used. This research was a qualitative research. The result showed that the students’ difficulty in learning linear algebra was very high which 88.63% students were not able to represent the symbol or notation, 88.11% students had difficulty in using the symbol or notation or ideas of mathematics and logical reasoning, 88,38% students had difficulty in comprehending the symbol or notation used by using logical reasoning, 91.77% students were difficult to check whether the symbol or notation or ideas of mathematics used has been applied correctly or not and use logical reasoning. It indicated that students’ difficulties in learning linear algebra was very high. This is because students’ understanding of the material and solving linear algebra problems is quite slow compared to other materials. Lecturers are also not optimal enough in the use of media and learning methods in learning linear algebra in the classroom.