Philippine E-Journals

College Student’s Difficulties with Basic Mathematics

Sonia A. Arenillo | Susan M. Cruzado

Discipline: Mathematics

 

Abstract:

Mathematics evokes fear and anxiety to any college students. The study determined the performance difficulties of the students in four operations with Basic Mathematics employing descriptive- comparative design to sixty (60) randomly selected college freshmen. This context in Mathematics has been always identified as the dimensions in which students likely show dismal performance hence, a further study is conceived. A thirty- item test in integers, decimal numbers and fractions across four operations was the main instrument used in the study. Data gathered were analyzed utilizing One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to compare difficulty differences. Result showed that students encountered difficulty in subtraction of integers, division of decimal numbers and fractions caused by procedural complexities where frequency of errors was prominent. Difficulty differences in performing four operations with Basic Mathematics were mostly found significant. Thus, it can be inferred that students cope difficulties with Basic Mathematics to varying extents. With this, it is recommended that students should solve integers, decimal numbers and fractions more often as a useful aid to memorize their corresponding rules involving different mathematical operation tasks.