Profile of Student Algebraic Thinking with Polya's Problem-Solving Strategy: Study on Male Students with Field Independent Cognitive Style

This study aims to describe the profile of students' algebraic thinking with Polya's problem solving strategy in completing a linear program conducted on male students with field independent cognitive style. This research is exploratory research with qualitative approaches. In accordance with the purpose of the study, the subject (single subject) were male student with field independent cognitive style. Single subject were screened from 119 participants (male students in grade X) at a high school in the city of Mataram, Indonesia. The criteria for determining a single subject are male students with field independent cognitive style, and having the highest math scores on linear algebra material. The research instrument consisted of the main instrument (researcher/human instrument) which interacted directly with the subject to explore the subject's algebraic thinking profile, and research aid instruments consisting of the GEFT test, mathematical ability test, linear programming tasks, and interview guidelines. Through Polya's problem solving, the students' algebraic thinking profile has been described, where the subject has represented mathematical ideas using algebraic expressions, the subject interprets algebraic expressions; the subject uses symbolic representations, formulations, and expressions of equations using algebraic conventions; and the subject can interpret the solution