Analysis of Students’ Mathematical Problem-Solving Ability on Whole Number Operations Based on Polya’s Framework

Abstract

The research aims to determine the results of the analysis of students' abilities in solving
problems in whole number calculation operations. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. The
subjects in this study were 3 students with low, medium, and high mathematical problem-solving ability
categories which were selected from a total of 31 students. Data collection techniques were carried out
using written tests and interview. The research results obtained regarding students' mathematical
problem-solving abilities are in low category with 77.4%, medium is 9.7%, and high is 12.9% ; (2)
students with high abilities are very good at mastering all indicators of mathematical problem-solving
abilities, but there are still errors in the indicators of understanding the problem; (3) students with
moderate abilities have quite good abilities in understanding the problems presented in the questions,
but are still lacking in other indicators; (4) students with low abilities are not able to understand the
problem presented in the question well so that students have difficulty in carrying out the next problem
solving steps in the next indicators. Problem solving skills are still relatively low, so it is necessary to
improve students' abilities in all indicators, especially in understanding problems.