Mathematical abstraction: students’ concept of triangles

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Mathematical abstraction is a cognitive process when students construct their mathematics knowledge and the result of the process itself. This study explores the mathematical abstraction of students related to the concept and the area of triangles. For this reason, firstly, the researchers developed four questions. This study was conducted in one junior high school in Bandung. Twenty-three students, grade 7 (12-14 years old), were involved in this study. Data were collected through observation of the test results and followed by students interviews. Finally, data were analyzed qualitatively. The researchers found that the low-achievement students tend to understand the triangles which consist of the interior area bounded by three straight lines and the lines themselves; they also tend to understand the area of triangles as the result of the pattern of a base times height divided into two. Besides, there are indications that low-achievement students need help from teachers so that they can achieve a higher level of abstraction.