DESCRIPTION OF MATHEMATICAL REPRESENTATION SKILLS OF STUDENTS IN SOLVING GEOMETRY PROBLEM BASED ON van HIELE GEOMETRY THINKING LEVEL AT SMPN 5 PALLANGGA

ABSTRACT This study is qualitative research with descriptive approach, which aims at describing Mathematical representation skills of students in solving Geometry problem based on van Hiele Geometry thinking level at SMPN 5 Pallangga. The research instrument of this study is van Hiele Geometry thinking level test (VHGT), Mathematical representation skills test (TRM), and interview guideline. Data collecting technique employed test and interview. Data validity was conducted through triangulation method. The research subjects were students of class VIII B which consisted of three people (2 subjects of level 0 and 1 subject of level 1). The results of study reveal that 1) Mathematical representation skills of students of level 0 with van Hiele Geometry thinking had tendency of visual representation in solving Geometry problem. The students at this level were tended to avoid the use of Math expressions in solving the problems. The students solved the problem by representing their ideas in Geometry patterns or making quadrilateral; 2) Mathematical representation skills of students of level 1 with van Hiele Geometry thinking had tendency of visual-verbal representation in solving Geometry problem. The student at this level were able to identify and understood information contained in given problems. The students solved the problem by representing their ideas by making the Geometry pattern beforehand. Then, they involved Math expressions to solve or draw conclusion from the given problems. Keywords: Mathematical representation skills, van Hiele Geometry thinking skill