Lessons from the Past: Limiting the Unbounded Difficulties

Mary Loreen V. Cayabyab

Abstract: This study made used of case study design to identify the causes of the common errors in solving the optimal solution of the accountancy students in linear programming. Linear programming is a higher Mathematics where basic Mathematics is applied. The causes of errors were identified through interview and drew out implications to Mathematics learning. By using cluster sampling, the written solution of the respondents were subjected to identification of common errors using the similar approach to Newman Model done by Movshovitz-Hadar, Zaslavsky, and Inbar (1987). It was found out that most of the respondents had ?problem solving error?. Further, among the causes mentioned by the respondents, the ?lack of mastery ?was the common response. Through this study, the Mathematics educators, after knowing the common errors of the respondents, can use appropriate strategy that could respond to these errors. The responses of the students on the causes of errors can be minimized.

Keywords: common errors, causes, linear programming, problem solving error, lack of mastery