Mapping students' mathematical reasoning ability in solving systems of linear equations in two variables based on NCTM indicators
Keywords:
Mathematical reasoning ability, Systems of linear equations in two variables, NCTM, SLETV, Mathematics educationAbstract
Abstract
Mathematical reasoning is an essential competency in mathematics education because it enables students to understand concepts, construct logical arguments, and solve problems effectively. This study aimed to analyze the mathematical reasoning ability of ninth-grade students in solving SLETV problems based on the five reasoning indicators proposed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). A descriptive quantitative approach was employed involving 30 ninth-grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Baktiraja. Data were collected using essay tests and analyzed through descriptive statistics based on percentage achievement. The findings revealed that mathematical manipulation achieved the highest percentage (50.00%), whereas providing mathematical justification (26.67%) and verifying solutions (20.00%) were the weakest indicators. These results indicate that students' reasoning remains predominantly procedural rather than argumentative and reflective. The novelty of this study lies in developing a comprehensive profile of students' mathematical reasoning based on NCTM indicators and proposing two conceptual models, namely the Conceptual Hierarchy of Mathematical Reasoning Ability and the Reasoning Pathway in Solving SLETV Problems, to explain the characteristics of students' mathematical reasoning.
Abstrak
Kemampuan penalaran matematis merupakan kompetensi esensial dalam pembelajaran matematika karena mendukung siswa dalam memahami konsep, menyusun argumentasi, dan menyelesaikan masalah secara logis. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis kemampuan penalaran matematis siswa kelas IX pada materi SPLDV berdasarkan lima indikator National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kuantitatif dengan subjek 30 siswa kelas IX SMP Negeri 1 Baktiraja, sedangkan data dikumpulkan melalui tes uraian dan dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif berbasis persentase. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan melakukan manipulasi matematika memperoleh persentase tertinggi (50,00%), sedangkan kemampuan memberikan alasan atau bukti (26,67%) dan memeriksa kebenaran solusi (20,00%) menjadi indikator terendah. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan siswa masih didominasi aspek prosedural dibandingkan argumentatif dan reflektif. Penelitian ini berkontribusi melalui penyusunan profil kemampuan penalaran matematis berdasarkan indikator NCTM serta pengembangan model konseptual Conceptual Hierarchy of Mathematical Reasoning Ability dan Reasoning Pathway in Solving SPLDV Problems sebagai sintesis hasil penelitian.
Downloads
References
Almpani, S., Stefaneas, P., & Vandoulakis, I. (2023). Formalization of mathematical proof practice through an argumentation-based model. Global Philosophy, 33(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10516-023-09685-z
Celedón-Pattichis, S., Borden, L. L., Pape, S. J., Clements, D. H., Peters, S. A., Males, J. R., Chapman, O., & Leonard, J. (2018). Asset-based approaches to equitable mathematics education research and practice. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 49(4), 373–389. https://doi.org/10.5951/jresematheduc.49.4.0373
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Czocher, J. A. (2018). How does validating activity contribute to the modeling process? Educational Studies in Mathematics, 99(2), 137–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-018-9833-4
Dede, A. T. (2019). Arguments constructed within the mathematical modelling cycle. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 50(2), 292–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2018.1501825
Demirci, N., & Ergül, E. (2026). Enhancing arithmetic skills and mathematics attitudes through algorithm and coding in primary education. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 57(6), 1181–1206. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2025.2504555
Faulkner, B., Earl, K., & Herman, G. (2019). Mathematical maturity for engineering students. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 5(1), 97–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-019-00083-8
Gardenia, N., Herman, T., Juandi, D., Dahlan, T., & Kandaga, T. (2021). Analysis of mathematical communication skills of class 8 students on two-variable linear equation systems (SPLDV) concept. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1806(1), Article 012073. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1806/1/012073
Glasnovic Gracin, D. (2018). Requirements in mathematics textbooks: A five-dimensional analysis of textbook exercises and examples. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 49(7), 1003–1024. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2018.1431849
Haavold, P. Ø., & Sriraman, B. (2022). Creativity in problem solving: Integrating two different views of insight. ZDM – Mathematics Education, 54(1), 83–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-021-01304-8
Hasanah, S. I., Tafrilyanto, C. F., & Aini, Y. (2019). Mathematical reasoning: The characteristics of students’ mathematical abilities in problem solving. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1188, Article 012057. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1188/1/012057
Jankvist, U. T., & Niss, M. (2020). Upper secondary school students’ difficulties with mathematical modelling. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 51(4), 467–496. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2019.1587530
Jonsson, B., Granberg, C., & Lithner, J. (2020). Gaining mathematical understanding: The effects of creative mathematical reasoning and cognitive proficiency. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.574366
Li, M., & Yuan, R. (2022). Enhancing students’ metacognitive development in higher education: A classroom-based inquiry. International Journal of Educational Research, 112, Article 101947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.101947
Li, Y., & Schoenfeld, A. H. (2019). Problematizing teaching and learning mathematics as “given” in STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 6(1), Article 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-019-0197-9
Lin, C. (2023). Mathematics learning and intellectual development of secondary school students. In Intellectual development and mathematics learning (pp. 233–267). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-8757-1_9
Nilimaa, J. (2023). New examination approach for real-world creativity and problem-solving skills in mathematics. Trends in Higher Education, 2(3), 477–495. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu2030028
Niss, M., & Højgaard, T. (2019). Mathematical competencies revisited. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 102(1), 9–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-019-09903-9
Österman, T., & Bråting, K. (2019). Dewey and mathematical practice: Revisiting the distinction between procedural and conceptual knowledge. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 51(4), 457–470. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2019.1594388
Pratiwi, N., Aisyah, N., Susanti, E., & Pratiwi, W. D. (2021). Analysis of junior high school student’s mathematical reasoning ability in solving non-routine problems on material of two-variable linear equation systems. 1st International Conference on Mathematics and Mathematics Education (ICMMEd 2020). https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210508.082
Rach, S., & Ufer, S. (2020). Which prior mathematical knowledge is necessary for study success in the university study entrance phase? Results on a new model of knowledge levels based on a reanalysis of data from existing studies. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 6(3), 375–403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-020-00112-x
Rivas, S. F., Saiz, C., & Ossa, C. (2022). Metacognitive strategies and development of critical thinking in higher education. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.913219
Silla, E. M., Barbieri, C. A., & Newton, K. J. (2024). Procedural flexibility on fraction arithmetic and word problems predicts middle-schoolers’ differential algebra skills. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(2), 195–211. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000822
Sinaga, B., Sitorus, J., & Situmeang, T. (2023). The influence of students’ problem-solving understanding and results of students’ mathematics learning. Frontiers in Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1088556
Stylianides, A. J. (2019). Secondary students’ proof constructions in mathematics: The role of written versus oral mode of argument representation. Review of Education, 7(1), 156–182. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3157
Sumarsih, Budiyono, & Indriati, D. (2018). Profile of mathematical reasoning ability of 8th grade students seen from communicational ability, basic skills, connection, and logical thinking. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1008(1), Article 012078. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1008/1/012078
Szabo, Z. K., Körtesi, P., Guncaga, J., Szabo, D., & Neag, R. (2020). Examples of problem-solving strategies in mathematics education supporting the sustainability of 21st-century skills. Sustainability, 12(23), Article 10113. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310113
Tai, J., Ajjawi, R., Boud, D., Dawson, P., & Panadero, E. (2018). Developing evaluative judgement: Enabling students to make decisions about the quality of work. Higher Education, 76(3), 467–481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0220-3
Tisngati, U., & Genarsih, T. (2021). Reflective thinking process of students in completing mathematical problems based on mathematical reasoning ability. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1776(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1776/1/012035
Veenman, M. V. J., & van Cleef, D. (2019). Measuring metacognitive skills for mathematics: Students’ self-reports versus on-line assessment methods. ZDM, 51(4), 691–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-018-1006-5
Yana, F., & Wijaya, A. (2025). Enhancing computational thinking skills in solving two-variable linear equations through problem-based learning in Indonesian middle schools. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.5869
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Mei Yanti Purba, Friska Ledina Situngkir (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.