Students' misconceptions in college algebra

Abstract

Mathematics passing rate at Mindanao University of Science and Technology every first semester has always been an issue due to its low turnover. This study reports some of the causes of students’ poor performance in College Algebra. It used a quantitative and qualitative method of research. It used a 24-item test which is a multiple choice of two to three options where the distracters are the misconceptions. The test questions were answered in the classroom to let the students understand why they are wrong. Afterwards, students were asked to write the reasons why they were wrong.

Results revealed that students’ misconceptions are more grievous in absolute value concept where the fundamental operation are done inside the absolute value sign, the application of the laws of exponents, operations of radical numbers , factoring and simplifying rational expressions. Some of the students’ reasons for wrong answers are their inability to remember the concepts, and carelessness.

The research recommends that college teachers should let the students be aware of common misconceptions and emphasize conceptual understanding in teaching the College Algebra. Teachers should give diagnostic test at the start of the classes so that they will be aware of what the students already understood and what their misconceptions are.