Investigation of the errors of the sixth year students in the solution of algebraic problems

Mathematical modeling is the process of expressing the functioning and structure of real life situations by transferring them to the symbolic language of mathematics. The aim of this study is to examine the skills of middle school sixth grade students in solving algebraic problems according to the achievements of the middle school sixth grade mathematics curriculum. At the same time, it is to determine the success levels in their finalization by solving this mathematical model they have created and to determine the mistakes made. The research was carried out with 174 students who were selected by using random sampling method among the eighth grade students of a state secondary school located in Osmangazi district of Bursa province in the 2018-2019 academic year. In the study, a problem test consisting of 8 open-ended questions covering algebraic problems was applied within the scope of the data collection tool. Based on the data results, the students' ability to set up and solve equations according to algebraic problems was examined, and document analysis method was used to determine the type of error. According to the findings obtained as a result of the research, it was determined that students had the most difficulty in establishing equations. In addition, it was concluded that the students had difficulty in establishing a connection between what was given and what was desired, their level of assumption was low, they made unnecessary or incorrect drawings, and they had difficulty in generalizing the results they found. It was determined that the students' ability to form a mathematical model for algebraic problems and to reach results using the mathematical model was found to be low. In addition, it was determined that middle school sixth grade students made certain types of mistakes while creating and solving models suitable for the problem situation.