LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN UNDERSTANDING FORMER MATHEMATICS
SUBJECT OF G12 STEM STUDENTS OF TAGAYTAY CITY SCIENCE
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL S.Y. 2019 - 2020
Undergraduate Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty
Of the Senior High School
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Tagaytay City
In partial fulfilment
Of the requirements for
Practical Research 2
BRIGITTE C. BANITOG
AIRA MAE P. MERCADO
JONAS S. PIA
ARIES S. DELA PEÑA
October 2019
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTINGS
Introduction
Mathematics is one of the most difficult subjects for many students. It is because this
subjects is hard to understand and also the history of poor performance due to an unaddressed
learning or motor skills difficulty, or gaps in their learning history. Mathematics is one of the
subjects that is considered as the main lesson to be learned and taught from childhood. It can be
used in various situations in everyday life. Starting from the simplest subject to the most
complicated is discussed here with numbers and at times, as well as letters. Based on the National
Achievement Test 2014-2015 the mean percentage scores of students in Mathematics is 64.41
but the national target of Deped is at least 75%. This is the main focus of our study because time
passed, this issue has continued to worsen. There are reasons why this is happening and there
are also those effects on the other. According to Albert Einstein, “Do not worry about your
difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.” This quote simply means that
everyone’s problems are relative. Everyone have a different problems and difficulties in life, but
that does not mean that any are more valid than others.
The researchers conducted this study because they are all taking up the Mathematics as
their former subjects, and they all have awareness that many Filipino youths are having a hard
time in this subject that’s why it matters. The researchers are also curious and responsible for
identifying reasons why STEM students have difficulties in understanding their Mathematics
subjects and what are the ways to help them solve this matter.
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Statement of the Problem
Mathematics is important to students to improve their skills in numbers. Most of students
have many difficulties in their math subjects because it is hard to understand. In response to this
problem, the researchers conduct a plan to give students a remedial subjects in math to decrease
difficulties in understanding math subjects.
This study attempts to determine the difficulties in understanding Mathematics subjects
encountered by selected Grade 12 - STEM students of Tagaytay City Science National High School
to serve as a basis for knowing the reasons behind the difficulties of the students in
understanding their former Mathematics.
The results of this study can be use also as their related study.
1. How many students have encountered difficulties involving Mathematics subjects?
2. What are the subjects that makes it difficult for them to understand?
2.1. Precalculus
2.2. Basic Calculus
2.3. General Mathematics
2.4. Elementary Statistics
3. What are the possible ways or techniques that will help the students understand
Mathematics subjects better?
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Significance of the Study
This study “Difficulties Encountered by the Students in Understanding Mathematics
Subjects” is deemed necessary for the students and future researchers.
The results of the study will be of great benefit to the following:
1. Students, this study can help them understand their own difficulties on mathematics
problems and solve problems easier and accurately through the use of the steps presented in
this study.
2. Future researchers, it would be helpful for them to use this study as a starting point to
formulate actions to also address the concerns of the students with regard to problem solving.
The results of this study can be use also as their related study.
Definition of Terms
The study contains the following terms, including:
Mathematics - a subject where most students are struggling when it comes to understanding.
Difficulty - it is how a subject makes it harder for a student to understand and it is how the subject
makes a student struggle.
Worsen - it is where the learning of a student is not as good as how they should.
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
The study “Difficulties encountered in Understanding Former Mathematics Subjects of
Grade 12 STEM Students of Tagaytay City Science National High School SY 2019- 2020” started
on June 2019. This research will be conducted at Tagaytay City Science National High School and
the respondents are the selected grade 12 STEM students. The scope of this research study is to
know how many students have experienced this difficulty and how difficult mathematics are for
them and how they cope with it. The study is also made to know the reason why students
consider it difficult to understand mathematics subjects. This study is delimited only to the Grade
12 STEM students of Tagaytay City Science National High School.
Conceptual Framework
This study intends to discuss the Difficulties Encountered in Understanding Former
Mathematics Subject of G12 STEM Students of Tagaytay City Science National High School S.Y
2019-2020
The following expresses a graphic framework that explains the process of data collection to
gather a quantitative result. Variable 1 is the independent variable, while variable 2 is the
dependent variable.
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Student's Survey Difficulties in
Process
Output
Input
capability of Questionnaire understanding
understanding Mathematics
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Review of Related Literature
Foreign Literature/ Studies
According to Sepeng P. and Sigola (2013) students are having difficulties in reading
and understanding problems with mathematical language. In addition, Prakitipong &
Nakamura (2006) stated the analysis of Newman Procedure, namely the method of analyzing the
error of the sentence which indicates that the students experience obstacles in the completion
of the word problem because they are not that fluent and are not able to understand the
concepts in the readings and do not understand the meaning of a problem.
In addition, Zahara et al., (2009) stated that many students have hindrances in using these
cognitive abilities in learning effectively. The students face difficulties mostly in making accurate
perceptions and interpretations, memorizing and retrieving facts and also in giving
concentrations and in using their logical thinking.
Moreover, Miranda (2006) stated that students might experience difficulties in thinking
and learning when they demonstrated difficulty in giving attention, describing orientation of
shape and space, making perception by visual and auditory, memorizing simple things and
understanding language.
According to Ismail Hj Raduan, (2010) in his study “Error analysis and the corresponding
cognitive activities committed by year five primary students in solving mathematical word
problems”. The usual problems faced by students are they don’t understand the language, the
sentences and the words they read.
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Surprisingly, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP 2000) stated that
one of the topics that students usually made mistakes is fraction. This is because of their
understanding of the concepts of fraction itself. This phenomena is also supported by the MOE
Malaysia (2004) which stated that students usually made mistakes in solving fraction problems.
In addition, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (n.d) stated that students who
struggle with mathematics learning regardless of their motivation, past instruction, and
mathematical knowledge prior to starting school: demonstrate slow or inaccurate recall of basic
arithmetic facts; answer problems impulsively, without inhibition; have difficulty representing
mathematical concepts mentally; have poorly developed number sense; and have difficulty
keeping information in their working memory.
Moreover, Touch-type Read and Spell (n.d) stated that students with dyscalculia,
dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention difficulties, dysgraphia, visual processing difficulties and anxiety
can struggle with Math. Students with dyscalculia struggle with performing basic calculations
they may need to use a calculator to solve complex math problems. However, students with
dyslexia may also have a hard time with Math at school due to difficulty reading numbers and
following word problems. Students with dysgraphia and dyspraxia may struggle to show the steps
they used to arrive at an answer. Attention difficulties can rush ahead and skip a step or struggle
to focus. Learners with visual processing disorders may have difficulty with math problems that
involve spatial reasoning, including geometry, reading tables, reading maps and both
discriminating and identifying different numbers. Also keep in mind that for some learners, math
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
anxiety is the result of a history of poor performance due to an unaddressed learning or motor
skills difficulty, or gaps in their learning history.
Surprisingly, Tambychik, Tarzimah and Meerah, Thamby Subahan Mohd (2010)
concludes that students faced difficulties in Mathematics problem solving due to incompetency
in acquiring many mathematics skills and lacking in cognitive abilities of learning. Information
skill was found to be the most critical mathematics skills. Although students acquired other
mathematics skills, without the transfer of information skill, they could not understand and make
effective connection of the information in the problems.
In addition, Surya, Edy (2017) concludes that students cannot understand the whole or
some parts of the problem due to the lack of imagination and experience needed to consider the
problem. Students lack interest in solving mathematical problems due to the length and
complexity of the problems, which is demotivating. Students have difficulties in reading and
comprehension, unable to understand what important information is in a problem and organize
it accordingly.
Local Literature/ Studies
According to Jojo Malab, (2014). The problems and difficulties are categorized into
personal problems, emotional problems, problems on teacher's instructions, problems with
school adjustment, problems in adjusting to classmates and problems arising from over
extended- schedule.
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
As cited by Benito in the study of Cabatay [Link] (2011) that mathematics is learned
because of many reasons. Firstly, the mastery of basic mathematical skills is needed in order to
cope with the demand of life. Such demands include being numerically literate, gaining tools for
future employment, developing the prerequisites for further education, and appreciating the
relationship between mathematics and technology. Secondly, mathematics is the language of
the sciences, and many disciplines depend on this subject as a symbolic means of communication.
Thirdly, mathematics education can play an important part in developing students’ general
decision making and problem solving skills.
In addition, Alvaera, Bayan, & Martinez (2009) of De LaSalle University, Manila,
conducted study intended to determine whether parental involvement and autonomy (mothers
and fathers), and teaching approach can predict public school students’ achievement as
measured by the general average grades of students. In determining which variable has a
significant relationship with student achievement, it showed that mother involvement was
significantly related with the students' academic achievement. Of all the predictors of
achievement used by the researchers, it was only mother involvement that had significantly
predicted student achievement. This does not mean that teaching approach, father involvement,
father autonomy and mother autonomy does not contribute in predicting achievement. This
simply implies that their contribution in the achievement of the students is not as significant as
compared to the contribution of mothers' involvement. The current study focuses on academic
achievement as measured by the general average grade of the student from the previous grading
period. It has been well established how academic achievement is influenced by a particular
factor. Parents' involvement in the child's schooling like assisting the child's in making their
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
assignments explains much the grade of the child. It was concluded in the study that only mother
involvement can predict students' achievement.
SYNTHESIS
The usual difficulties encountered by the students in understanding Mathematics
subjects are they don't understand the language, the sentences and the words they read.
Students might also experience difficulties in thinking and have difficulty keeping information in
their working memory. One of the topics that students usually made mistakes is fraction. It is
because there are so many rules to learn that students get mixed up with them.
The researchers are to finally conclude from research study that students encountered
different difficulties in understanding Mathematics.
METHODS OF RESEARCH AND PROCEDURES
This chapter presents the methods to be used in the study as well as the method of collecting
data and development of research, sampling design and statistical treatment that will be uses
for accurate data analysis and interpretation.
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Method of Research
The study used a descriptive design through survey questionnaire to know the opinions and
numerical data from the respondents. A set of survey questionnaire is a printed material that was
given to the participants of the study and answered a set of questions to serve as the guide
opportunities to explore issues of Difficulties Encountered in Understanding former Mathematics
subject of Grade twelve (12) STEM students. Survey questions asked participants to recall their
difficulties in understanding Mathematics.
Method of Collecting Data and Development of Research
The first step before gathering the data is to make a request letter. The researchers ask for the
approval of the school principal, Dr. Magdaleno R. Lubigan, to conduct a survey in the school
through a letter. In administering the questionnaire, the researchers was use the time allotted
for vacant to avoid distractions of class discussions. The student responses were given enough
time to answers all the questions. After obtaining the result of student's difficulties in
understanding Mathematics, the researchers carefully analyzed the data.
Sampling Design
The respondents of this study are the selected Grade 12 Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students of Tagaytay City Science National High School.
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
The Sampling Design used in this study is the Stratified Random Sampling. The researchers used
this sampling design to choose respondents from STEM Chromium, Platinum, Titanium, and
Vanadium.
Slovin's formula is used to calculate the sample size (n) given the population size (N) and a margin
of error (e). This formula is used to determine the number of respondents accurately
𝑁
𝑛=
1 + 𝑁𝑒 2
Where:
n- number of samples
N- total number of populations
e- margin of error
207
𝑛=
1 + 207(0.05)2
𝑛 = 136.41
%= 𝑛/𝑁
136.41
= 207
= 0.66 or 66%
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Table 3.1: Total Number of Grade 12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Students
SECTION POPULATION SAMPLE
Chromium 53 35
Platinum 53 35
Titanium 51 34
Vanadium 50 33
Total: 207 137
Statistical Treatment of Data
After getting the responses of the Grade 12 STEM Students of Tagaytay City Science
National High School, the collected data were statistically analyzed.
Formula (Weighted Arithmetic Mean)
In order to analyze the answer given by the respondents, the formula for the weighted
arithmetic mean is located below.
∑𝑓
𝑊𝐴𝑀 =
n
Where:
̅̅̅̅̅ = the weighted arithmetic mean
W𝐴𝑀
∑𝑓𝑤 = the sum of the product of the frequency and weight
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
N = the total number of response per item
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Benjamin Coloma. (September 25, 2017). National Achievement Test 2016. Retrieved from
[Link]
achievement-test
2016/&ved=2ahUKEwiwhsuxpInjAhWRfd4KHW6NCigQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw1zzcsZpIUDBmELLwp4C7
ft&cshid=1561627620996
[Link] › e__kflygxqcv
Alvaera, A. & Bayan, M. & Martinez, D. (2009, September). Teaching Approach, perceived parental
involvement and autonomy as predictors of achievement. The International Journal of Research and Review,
Vol.1 Retrieved from [Link]
Cabatay, Henry I. et al. (2011). Predictors of Academic Success and Achievement for College Algebra.
Ismail Hj Raduan. (2010). Problem solving thinking model for mathematical word problems among the high
achievers and low achievers form five students. Tesis PhD. UKM. Tidak diterbitkan.
Malab, Jojo. (2014). Problems and Difficulties Encountered by Students Towards Mastering Learning
Competencies in Mathematics. Retrieved from [Link]
Miranda, F. (2006). How Can You Tell When Your Child Has Learning Problems? Retrieved from
[Link]
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Learning Difficulties in Mathematics. Retrieved from
[Link]
Mathematics/
National Research Council. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. National Academy
Press. 374 pp
Prakitipong, N. & Nakamura, S. (2006). “Analysis of Mathematics Performance of Grade Five Students
in Thailand Using Newman Procedure”. Journal of International Cooperation in Education 9(1): 111-122.
Sepeng, P., & Sigola, S. (2013). “Making Sense of Errors Made by Learners in Mathematical Word
Problem Solving”. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences 4(13): 325-333.
Surya, Edy (2017) Analysis of Student Difficulties in Mathematics Problem Solving Ability at MTS SWASTA IRA
Medan. Retrieved from [Link]
Students' Performance on Mathematics Departmental Examination: Basis for Math Intervention Program.
Retrieved from [Link]
Tambychik, Tarzimah and Meerah, Thamby Subahan Mohd. (2010). Students’ Difficulties in Mathematics
Problem-Solving: What do they Say? Retrieved from 142–
151[Link]
Touch-type Read and Spell. Students struggling with math. Retrieved from
[Link]
Gateway to a Better Life…
LI
Tagaytay City Science National High School
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120 Philippines ∙ Email: [Link]@[Link] ∙ Tel. No.: (046) 483-3617
Registration No: PH010-QC
Zahara Abdul Aziz, Amla Salleh and & Tarzima Tambychik. (2009). How do Students Value Themselves? A
Study on Needs and Expectations of Low Achievers. The International Journal of Knowledge, Culture &
Management, Vol 9. Common-Ground retrieved from [Link]
Gateway to a Better Life…
