Analysis of Students’ Mathematical Abilities on Arithmetic Series Material in the Contextualization of Economic Problems
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aims to analyze students' mathematical application skills in using arithmetic and geometric series concepts in the context of economic decision making. These skills are important because the application of series concepts in business and economics, such as in investment analysis, compound interest, and asset growth and depreciation calculations, requires mathematical understanding that is not only conceptual but also applicable. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach with subjects being students of the Mathematics Education study program who have taken the Economics and Business Mathematics course. Data were collected through contextual problem-solving tests and semi-structured interviews to explore students' application abilities and reasoningThe results show that most students are able to identify patterns and apply arithmetic and geometric series formulas well, but still have difficulty relating the calculation results to real economic contexts. It was also found that students with high mathematical modeling abilities tend to make more rational and argumentative economic decisions. This study recommends the need to strengthen context-based learning and economic modeling in economic mathematics lectures in order to improve students' mathematical application skills.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Andzin, N. S., Sari, P. Y. P., Widodo, R. C., Sukowati, D. I., Indriastuti, S., & Nursyahidah, F. (2024). Arithmetic sequences and series learning using realistic mathematics education assisted by augmented reality. Mathematics Education Journal, 18(1), 139-148. https://doi.org/10.22342/jpm.v18i1.pp139-148
Auliya, R., Salido, A., Marniati, M., Meiliati, R., Aswin, Tahir, & Herlina. (2025). Challenges in grade 10 arithmetic sequences: A Newman’s procedure analysis. HISTOGRAM: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 9(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.31100/histogram.v9i2.3975
Azizah, D. A., et al. (2023). Examples of applications of arithmetic sequence and series in everyday life and economy: Profile of students’ mathematical connection. MATHEdunesa.
Cavalcante, A. (2025). Three approaches to financial numeracy education in secondary mathematics textbooks. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 20(3), em0827. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/16079
Cuong, L. M., Tien-Trung, N., Ngu, P. N. H., Vangchia, V., Thao, N. P., & Thao, T. T. P. (2025). Mathematics problem- solving research in high school education: Trends and insights from the Scopus database (1983–2023). European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 13(2), 77-89. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/16038
Khaydarov, I. (2025). Application of numerical sequences in economics. Journal of Applied Science and Social Science, 1(4), 174–178.
Kiromi, M. M. (2023). Analisis kesalahan siswa MA dalam pemecahan masalah matematika realistik materi barisan aritmatika dan geometri. Jurnal Penelitian Ilmiah INTAJ, 7(2), 123-143.
Maulana, R., & Hakim, D. L. (2025). Learning independence as a key to mathematical connections in sequences and series. AlphaMath : Journal of Mathematics Education, 11(1), 44–58. https://doi.org/10.30595/alphamath.v11i1.26290
Moreno-García, E. (2024). Math calculation and financial literacy: The incidence of geometric progressions in the calculation of financial interest. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(8), 330. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17080330
Nikmah, N., Musbikhin, & Mandala, A. S. (2024). Development of stem-collaborative learning based arithmetic teaching material for enhancing students’ critical thinking. Jurnal Pengembangan Pembelajaran Matematika (JPPM), 6(2), 94–107. https://doi.org/10.14421/jppm.2024.62.94-107
Qolbi, G. L., Dewi, P. A., Sholiha, S., Pangestu, T. A., & Fu’adin, A. (2022). Analysis of students' mathematical understanding on arithmetic sequences and series in 12th Grade Senior High School. Brillo Journal, 2(1), 13-21.
Sagita, L., Putri, R. I. I., Zulkardi, & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2022). Promising research studies between mathematics literacy and financial literacy through project-based learning. Journal on Mathematics Education, 13(4), 753-772. https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.v13i4.pp753-772
Sari, R., Putro, H., Rochgiyanti, R., Abbas, E., & Awang, M. (2025). Students' financial literacy through educational materials based on Banjar cultural values. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, 6(1), 69-83. https://doi.org/10.46843/jiecr.v6i1.2066
Soekanto, S. (2006). Penelitian hukum normatif: Suatu tinjauan singkat (Cet. 9). Rajawali Press.
Sujatmoko, A. (2007). Pengadilan campuran (“hybrid tribunal”) sebagai forum peneyelesaian atas kejahatan internasional. Jurnal Hukum Humaniter, 3(5).
Wardana, L. C., Suryana, I. D., & Nandi, M. (2024). Integrating real world applications into mathematics education: Approaches and outcomes. International Journal of Mathematics and Science Education, 1(2), 19–25.