THE POSSIBLE DILEMMAS OF PROBLEM SOLVING IN

MATH IN THE INTERMEDIATE PUPILS IN THEIR

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN
TALAGA CENTRAL SCHOOL

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty

Panel of Oral Examiners
TANAUAN INSTITUTE
Tanauan City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

The Degree in Bachelor in Elementary Education
Major in Early Childhood

By:

Constantino, Dhaisy Rei D.

Solmiano, Lalaine C.
Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to identify pupils’ difficulties in solving mathematical

word problems through a self-made test whose validity and reliability are determined.

This study also investigates what teaching strategies are used to foster success to pupils’

difficulties in solving mathematical word problem. Specifically, this study intends to

answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the intermediate pupils as described in:

1.1 age;

1.2 gender; and

1.3 grade

2. What are the difficulties of the pupils in solving mathematical word problems?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the profile of the intermediate pupils and the

difficulties of the pupils in solving mathematical word problems?

4. What are the implications of the study to mathematics instruction?

2: What are the difficulties encountered in mathematical problem solving in Talaga

Central School in terms of attitude of pupils towards mathematics

Instructions: To each of the following items, focus on your knowledge about the nature,

teaching, and learning of mathematics and provide response to each statement by using

the keys provided. Keys: 1= Strongly disagree, 2= Disagree, 3=Agree, 4= Strongly agree

2.1: Children’s Attitude towards Word Problem Solving in Mathematics

Questions: 1 2 3 4

1. I find it difficult to understand the problem.

2. I practice solving word problems at home.

3. I do not know what operations to be used in solving word

problem
4. Word problem is useful to me outside school.

5. I do not know the process to be followed in solving word

problem.
6. I tend to guess the answer if I find it difficult to solve

7. I find it difficult to translate word problem into mathematical

symbol
8. I do not like to read word problem solving

9. I find it interesting in answering word problem solving

10. I got low score in our quizzes in word problem solving.

Overall
What are the difficulties encountered in mathematical problem solving in Talaga

Central School in terms of Teaching Skills

Instructions: To each of the following items, focus on your knowledge about the nature,

teaching, and learning of mathematics and provide response to each statement by using

the keys provided. Key is given below.

Keys: 1= Strongly disagree, 2= Disagree, 3=Agree, 4= Strongly agree

2.2: Level of Teaching Skills among Teachers

Questions: 4 3 2 1

1. My teacher explained the objectives of the lesson

clearly at the start of the period.
2. My teacher showed smartness, confidence and
firmness in teaching word problem.
3. My teacher has a mastery of the subject matter
especially in word problem solving
4. My teacher was updated with present trends, relevant
to word problem solving.
5. My teacher uses various teaching aids and PowerPoint
presentation in presenting the lessons.
6. My teacher did not explain word problem solving
effectively.
7. My teacher did not give suited example to the content
discussed.
8. My teacher gave varied activities involving word
problem solving. (Board work, assignments, quizzes,
etc.)
9. My teacher was patient in answering our clarification
in word problem solving.
10. My teacher conducted a review before proceeding to
next topic
Overall
What are the difficulties encountered in mathematical problem solving in Talaga

Central School in terms of Instructional Materials

Instructions: To each of the following items, focus on your knowledge about the nature,

teaching, and learning of mathematics and provide response to each statement by using

the keys provided. Key is given below. Write check if

2.3: Instructional Materials Used in Word Problem Solving

Indicator Availabl Not Available

1. Worksheets

2. Textbooks

3. Power Point Presentation (Visual Aids)

4. Flashcards

5. Games

6. Maps

7. Films and Videos

8. Models

9. Measurement Tools

10. Chalk and Board

Overall

BIOGRAPHIC DATA
1. Name (Optional):

1.1: Age:

1.2. Your gender:

( ) Male ( ) Female

1.3. Grade:

APPROVAL SHEET
 The thesis entitled “THE POSSIBLE DILEMMAS OF PROBLEM SOLVING

IN MATH IN THE INTERMIDIATE PUPILS IN THEIR ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE IN TALAGA CENTRAL SCHOOL” has been prepared and

submitted by CONSTANTINO, DHAISY REI D. and SOLMIANO, LALAINE C. In

partial fulfillment for the degree in Bachelor in Elementary, Education, Major in Early

Childhood is hereby recommended for acceptance and approval.

NELIA P. MANANGUIT, ED.d

Adviser

Approved by the Committee on Oral Examination with a grade of .

Thesis Committee

Chairman

Member Member

Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirement for Introduction to

Research as part of the curriculum in Bachelor in Elementary Education, Major in Early

Childhood.

NELIA P. MANANGUIT, ED.d

Adviser

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 The researchers wish to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to those who

have patiently helping them towards the completion of the study.

Honorable Mayor Nelson P. Collantes and Chairman Emeritus of Tanauan

Institute "Sonny" P. Collantes, for having a kind heart in granting scholarship.

Atty, Anna Consuelo Collantes Mozo, chief operating officer of Tanauan Institute

Dr. Nelia P. Mananguit, thesis writing professor, for her invaluable time in patiently

guiding them and giving them her advice, comments and suggestion for their proposed

study.

Anita the principal of Talaga Central School for allowing them to contribute

questionnaire for the completion of the study.

The researchers' family and friend for giving them moral and financial support

Above all Almighty God, the great provider in every need of the researchers, who gives

us strength. Determination and power of the faith that we have used as tool achieving this

endeavor.

N.P.S

M.G.T

DEDICATION
 The researchers would like to fully dedicate this research project to their family,

classmates, and friends who served as their inspiration from the very beginning. They

also gave them enough strength to continue doing and pursuing though in the first place,

it was tiring and stressful yet full of fun.

They would also like to dedicate this to the future researchers for it may help

them gather more information regarding the poor health condition that teenagers might be

dealing.

N.P.S

M.G.T

RECOMMENDATION
This study “THE POSSIBLE DILEMMAS OF PROBLEM SOLVING IN MATH IN

THE INTERMIDIATE PUPILS IN THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN

TALAGA CENTRAL SCHOOL” has been prepared and submitted by

CONSTANTINO, DHAISY REI D. and SOLMIANO, LALAINE C. In partial

fulfillment for the degree in Bachelor in Elementary, Education, Major in Early

Childhood has been examined and recommended for the oral examination.

NELIA P. MANANGUIT, ED.D.

OIC, College Department/Professor

ATTY. ANNA CONSUELO V. COLLANTES

Chief Operating Officer/Critic Evaluator

Chapter 1
 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Mathematical problems are really difficult to be solved”. Students do not know

how to do it. That is why they do not like the subject especially problem solving as a

skill, the more that students hate mathematics when they are given a test in problem

solving. However, they cannot avoid this challenge being an important skill to be

acquired. In fact, problems are spices in life. So, it is a “must” for us to solve problems to

make on life meaningful and fruitful.

It is commonly accepted that math is difficult, obscure, and of little interest to

certain people. The study of math carries with it a stigma and people who are talented in

math are often treated as though they are quite normal. Mathematics has importance over

and above the application of basic numeracy skills. It is also the prime vehicle for

developing student’s logical thinking and higher -order cognitive skills. Mathematics also

plays a major role in a number of other scientific fields, such as physics, engineering and

statistics. In this connection, a positive attitude towards mathematics among students is

an important goal of mathematics education in many jurisdictions

Mathematics plays a big role in developing human thoughts, bringing strategic,

systematic reasoning processes used in problem analysis and solving. It helps people to

be able to anticipate, plan, decide, and properly solve each problem in daily life.

Mathematics is also a tool to study technological sciences and such. Thus, Mathematics is

useful to our living, helping to improve the quality of life. However, in 2012, the

National Council Teachers of Mathematics stated that problem solving skills are the main

expectation of Mathematics subject. On the other hand, the main purpose of Mathematics

teaching is to enable students to solve daily life problems. Hence, it can be said that
Mathematics is a tool to train students to be able to solve problems, and to build thinking

processes that lead to further ability to solve non-mathematical problems (Prathana

Phonapichat et al., 2014)

Mathematics anxiety is the result of the student's negative attitude or

embarrassing experience with their Mathematics teachers in previous years. Such

experience can leave a student believing him or her deficient in Mathematics ability. This

belief results in poor performance, which serves as confirming evidence to the student.

This phenomenon is known as the "self-fulfilling prophecy". Mathematics anxiety results

in poor performance rather than the reverse (Ganal, et.al., 2014). It is in this context that

the present study was conceived, to identify the difficulties encountered in mathematical

problem solving of Talaga Central Elementary School.

Mathematics is an integral part of the curriculum in almost all the countries of the

world. In Pakistan, mathematics is considered a key subject for many fields. Khan

(2012) noted that mathematics is not usually a popular subject and is a subject where

students face many problems, with many opting out as they are allowed.

In the 21st century, one shifting paradigm in education is about teacher’s role and

competencies. Competent mathematics teachers provide a roadmap to guide students to

an organized understanding of mathematical concepts, to reflective learning, to critical

thinking, and ultimately to mathematical achievement. Problem solving is the real test in

mathematical abilities. It concerns understanding of the problem which practically

demands reading comprehension. It also requires the appropriate formula that is needed

to get what is required.

 The present study sought to find out the relationship of selected variables believed

to have significant bearing on the mathematics performance of pupils. The framework of

the study focuses on mastery of basic skills and attitude towards mathematics as pupil

factors. The paradigm that follows contains the aforementioned ideas.

Conceptual framework

This study was anchored on Cognitivist Theory of Jean Piaget which states the

factors that affect learning and teaching Mathematics. Reading comprehension skills and

the ability to solve mathematical problems could be the difficulties of pupils to solve

mathematical word problem.

In relation to the study, pupils find difficulty in Mathematics. For instance,

solving word problems require mental representation of the problem and simple

arithmetic to transform the word problem into a mathematical equation. As a result,

students who are not skilled in formulating a mathematical equation will not be able to

solve the word problem which will lead the pupils to the unfavorable attitudes towards

Mathematics.

The theory of Cognitive Psychology Approach stressed that pupils need to apply

cognitive strategies of goal and sequences of mental operation in order to learn and

solved worded problems. Teachers should adjust their instructional practices according to

the different pre-skills that the students have because these pre-skills play a big part in

solving mathematical problems. When students gain more conceptual and procedural

skills in Mathematics, they become more competent and efficient in learning

mathematics.
 INPUT THROUGHPUT OUTPUT

Formulation and Significant/Non-

Pupils Profile validation of the survey Significant between
questionnaire research the teaching strategies
 Age
instrument. where the pupils are
 Your gender engaged in and their
 Grade Validity and reliability math learning.
of the survey
Pupils Strategies in questionnaire.
Solving Mathematical
Problem Tallying and statistical
treatment of data.

Paradigm of the study

The first box shows the input, such as the pupils’ profile and the pupils’ strategies

in solving mathematical problems.

The second box shows the throughput, such as the formulation and validation of

the survey questionnaire research instrument, validity and reliability of the survey

questionnaire and the tallying and statistical treatment of data.

The last box shows the output, the significant/non-significant between the

teaching strategies where the pupils are engaged in and their math learning.
Hypothesis of the Study

The researcher will use the following hypothesis:

Ho 1: There is no significant difference in the extent of causes in solving problem solving

problems when the respondents are grouped according to their profile variables.

Significance of the Study

This study's findings will be extremely beneficial to school administrators,

teachers, students, parents, researchers, and the researcher herself.

To the school administrator, the findings may provide them with insights into how

to improve or enhance the competence of teachers other than themselves.

To the teachers, the findings can help them decide what strategies to teach/learn to

students to help them develop their problem-solving skills.

To the students, the findings of this study will serve as a guide for them as they work

to improve their problem-solving abilities.

To the researchers, the findings of this study could be used as a tool or guide in

future research studies.

To the parents, this study will serve as a guide to help their children become exposed

to various word problems in order to eliminate fears in dealing with them.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This research in education determines the difficulties encountered in

mathematical word problem solving encountered by the students and how the problems

affect their academic performance. This study is conducted in public elementary school

in Talaga. This study uses questionnaire as a research instrument method to get the data

needed. Each selection of Grade 6 class had the number of respondents that were

randomly selected with the help of corresponding teachers. The researcher’s subject is

limited to the students in Talaga Central School. The identification of the problem is

limited to data gathered in the above mention research instrument. This study the used

quota sampling with a random selection in order to limit researcher’s choice of sample.

Definition of terms

The following terms are defined as the researcher uses in the study:

Difficulties

Refers to the obstacles that cause error or mistakes made by students when dealing with

mathematical word problems

Mathematical Word Problem

Refers to the mathematical exercises that present relevant information on a problem as

text rather than in the form of mathematical notation.

Mathematical Skill

Refers to the ability to solve mathematical problems.

Lack

Refers to the insufficient skills in solving mathematical problems.

Average

Refers to the normal skills of students in solving mathematical word problem.

Cognitive skills

Are the ways that your brain remembers, reasons, holds attention, solves problems,

thinks, reads and learns.

Anxiety

It's the sense of uneasiness, distress, or dread you feel before a significant event. 

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Psychological phenomenon of someone "predicting" or expecting something, and this

"prediction" or expectation coming true simply because the person believes or anticipates

it will and the person's resulting behaviors align to fulfill the belief.

Procedural skills

 Systematic approach how you solve the problem sums.