Identifying the reversible thinking skill of students in solving function problems

Abstract

This study aims to identify the reversible thinking skill of senior high school students in solving function problems. Thinking reversible is a mental activity to construct a reversible twoway correlation. One reason that makes students think reversible is that it is the primary requirement for them to solve mathematical problems; the core of school mathematics. Therefore, thinking reversible is necessary for every student to optimize their competence in solving mathematical problems. This study is qualitative using Test of Thinking Reversible (i.e., TTR). The subject is the 123 senior high schools students, especially at the tenth grade. The test consists of two sections (i.e., TTR I and TTR II) with adversative contents. It is aimed to identify the students’ reversible thinking. TTR I contains a linear function, and the subject is asked to make the graphic. However, TTR II contains a graphic of a linear function in the form of the straight line with two identified points, and the subject is asked to define the function. The result shows that among 123 senior high school students, only five students are capable of constructing a reversible two-way correlation between a function and its graphic. The other 118 students are solely capable of drawing the graphic without being able to define the function of the identified graphics. This result shows that the problem related to reversible thinking on senior high school student still exist, especially for solving function problems.