Student difficulties in solving geometry problem based on Van Hiele thinking level

Abstract

The background of this study is the lack of problem-solving ability of students. The evidence in the school shows that there are difficulties experienced by students in solving geometry problems. This fact gave rise to this study which aims to analyze students' difficulties in solving geometry problems based on Van Hiele thinking level. The descriptive qualitative research was used in this study. Van Hiele geometry test and problem-solving test were administered, followed by interviews. The subjects of the study were 38 students grade VIII in one of the Secondary school in Bandung and 6 of them were interviewed afterward. The results showed that the main difficulty of students who at level 1 (visualization) is interpreting problems into a mathematical model. While the main difficulty of students who at level 2 (analysis) and level 3 (deduction informal) is in the solution processes. We conclude that problem-solving ability on geometry is important to be taught to all students even though they are at different Van Hiele levels.