Problem Faced by Girl Students in Learning Algebra
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Department of Mathematics Education
Abstract
This study related to explore the girl students' difficulties and to find out the major causes that
effect the girl students in learning algebra at Grade VIII. Five public schools were selected from
Bhangaha municipality of Mahottari district by using nonrandom sampling method which were
Shree Janata Basic Level School, Shree Ma.Vi. Bhangaha, Shree Rastriya Basic Level School,
Shree Sarbajanik Ma.Vi. and Shree Kishori Janata Ma.Vi.. Achievement test, face to face
interview schedule and classroom observation was used as tools to collect the data. Achievement
test was conducted within 50 girl students. And ten girl students, five mathematics teachers and
five parents were selected for face to face interview. The classroom was observed for 5 days with
observation tool in the role of participation and non-participation. The obtained data from
achievement test was analyzed using simple mathematical tools mean same as data obtained
from interview and classroom observation were analyzed using thematic method. The researcher
analyzed the obtained data with help of conceptual understanding on the basis of difficulties on
comprehending variable, algebraic expression, solving equation and word problem.
The results indicated number of difficulties categories under each area. Under variables,
girl students were unable to differentiate like and unlike term and their simplification. The
abstract structure of algebraic expressions posed many problems to girl students such as
distributive error in bracket expansion, difficulty in operating with the negative integers.
Inadequate understanding of the uses of equal sign and its properties were major difficulties in
solving equation. Girl students were confused not only lack of technical words vocabulary but
also translating algebraic form with proper sign. The causes of difficulties in algebra are due to
the lack of prerequisite knowledge, solving ways and rules, traditional teaching methods and did
not use of teaching materials. Similarly, poor economical status of parents, household work, parents' educational status, occupation, traditional views towards girl's education, girl's interest,
lack of motivation to learn mathematics.