Analyzing the Errors of STEM Students in Solving Basic Calculus Problems

Students commit errors in solving mathematical problems. The study aimed to determine the errors encountered in solving problems on Basic Calculus by the STEM students of a Senior High School in a University in Northern Philippines. An error analysis based on the problem-solving in Basic Calculus was done. The instrument used in gathering the data in the study was a ten-item problem-solving researcher-made test validated by experts. The design used in the study was descriptive qualitative design. The errors committed by students were categorized as careless errors, conceptual errors, encoding errors, and unfamiliarity errors. In addition, the most numbered error was on conceptual errors particularly violation of the Power Rule. Based on thematic analysis, the difficulties that lead to their errors include confusion on concepts, process and formula, forgot the concepts, difficulty in memorization, poor application, poor understanding and the complexity of the process.