Mathematical reasoning process of eighth grade students

The aim of this study is to determine the mathematical reasoning skill levels of eighth-grade students and to reveal the mathematical reasoning indicators. The research, which used a descriptive design, was conducted with 292 eighth-grade students studying in three different state middle schools in a city center in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. The data were obtained from the Mathematical Reasoning Test (MRT). The explanations of the students' solutions to the problems in the test were subjected to content analysis and the reasoning indicators were revealed. As a result of the analysis, the mathematical reasoning skills of eighth-grade students were mainly at low and medium levels. In addition, it was concluded that students used indicators such as "…for/therefore/that is", "…if…then…", "…because…", "…should be/need to be…" and "…equal to…" while making mathematical reasoning. On the other hand, it was found that students used the strategies they were expected to use in solving each problem in the test at different rates. It can be said that encouraging students to present indicators while making mathematical reasoning is necessary for their reasoning to be determined and developed effectively.