8th grade students' abilities of using equations in word problems solving

8th Grade Students' Abilities of Using Equations in Word Problems Solving The purpose of this study is to determine the 8 grade students' abilities in using equations during problem solving process. This study was based on the action research approach. The data was collected through diagnostic test, clinical interview and classroom notes. During the study, students' attitudes towards equation setting, equation solving and problem solving were observed and written as classroom notes. The diagnostic test that includes 8 word problems and can be solved by means of first degree equation with one unknown or two unknowns was prepared and administered to 18 students. These 8 word problems were used throughout the clinical interviews. Six students were interviewed through diagnostic test. During the clinical interviews, conversations were recorded by a tape-recorder and they were transcribed into written form. Conversations and students' solutions during diagnostic test were analysed quantitatively and by this way, students' abilities using equations during problem solving process was tried to be found out. At the end of the study, it was concluded that in general, students were unsuccessful at transforming word problems into algebraic expressions. Those students, who were unsuccessful at this transformation, were generally unsuccessful at solving the equation of the problem as well. On the other hand, those students, who were successful at this transformation, were generally successful in solving the equation of the problem as well. Furthermore, it was easier for the students to solve the equations with one unknown than to solve the equation with two unknowns. Generally, it was more difficult for the students to set equations in problems where unknown were in both side of the equation and in problems, and which require parenthesis. They made algebraic and sign mistakes in solving these kinds of equations. In general, students were successful at setting equations with two unknowns. In order to prepare students as good problem solvers, teachers should spend more time on problem solving activities asking many word problems in classroom which require using different equation settings. Interesting and mought-provoking daily life problems should also be placed into curriculum. Key Words: Equation Setting, Problem Solving, Clinical Interview, Diagnostic Test VI