The Effect of Gender, Achievement Level and the Cumulative Average on Strategies of Solving Mathematical Problems used by Students at Hashemite University

Abstract

The study aims at investigating the strategies of solving mathematical problems which were used by students in Hashemite University according to gender, a ccumulative average and academic Level. The sample of the study consisted of (40) male and female students (20 of them were males and 20 were females). These students were selected randomly from the department of Mathematics in Hashemite University. The students were distributed according to the academic level into five males and five females in each year. They also were classified into three categories according to their a ccumulative averages. Three tools were used: mathematics problems examination, the strategies which were used by students, and individual interview. Means, percentages, ( χ2), and Z, are counted. The results of the study showed that the most common strategies were: Algorithmic Strategy (45%), Random Trial and Error (30%), Systematic Trial and Error (20%), and Forward Strategy (5%). There was no statistically significant difference in using these strategies due to gender or academic level; whereas there was a statistically significant difference among different accumulative average categories in Forward Strategy in favor of students with high achievement and in Random Trial and Error Strategy in favor of underperforming students.