According to the article of Times of India (2015) defined Mathematics is a methodical application of matter. It is so said because the subject makes a man methodical or systematic. Mathematics makes our life orderly and prevents chaos. Certain qualities that are nurtured by mathematics are power of reasoning, creativity, abstract or spatial thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving ability and even effective communication skills.
In addition Kitchen(2016) ,stated that the real purpose of mathematics to the students is to see that mathematics can help them better understand and describe the world around them. There is real-life application of almost every form of mathematics.
As an educator , must implore to show your students the true purpose of math. Help them see that math is here to help them better understand and explain the world around them. Use real-life math lessons like mine and others out there to help them see this. Your students will be better for it, and you might just enjoy teaching even more than you normally do. ( Kitchen ,2016)
As implying that mathematics subject is very important subject that requires a deep understanding by the learners. Students must open their mind and invaded to their lives the real purpose of knowing mathematics can create a big changes in their daily lives activities.
Pupils learn to develop critical thinking, deep reasoning for certain problem that requires a correct solution. Likewise, solving word problem is major topic in mathematics grade 4 that imposed in the K-12 curriculum.
Analyzing the word problem can boast the mind of the young students to develop comprehension and finding the correct answer in a certain problem. Learners must evaluate the problem so that they can used the correct operation.
Word problem in mathematics is a common topic that usually learners find hard to understand and closed their mind to solve it. For them solving problem is a big hindrance and bring a burden to their studies.
What is word problem? Wikipedia stated that in science education, a word problem is a mathematical exercise where significant background information on the problem is presented as text rather than in mathematical notation. As word problems often involve a narrative of some sort, they are occasionally also referred to as story problems and may vary in the amount of language used.
Furthermore, there are good benefits in understanding and knowing problem solving. Ayaz(2015) mentioned that problem solving is about solving problems. The whole aim of education is to equip children to solve problems, but not only in math.
The ultimate goal of any problem-solving program is to improve students' performance at solving problems correctly.
The researchers are very fascinated to truly comprehend the factors that initiates the hindrances and overcoming the challenges encountered by the grade 4 pupils at San Juan Elementary School in solving word problem involving multiplication process. Understanding and identifying the learning problems by the students in solving word problem can a big help for them to create a certain approaches, techniques wherein teachers can plan the correct learning materials that will suited to the type of learning capabilities of the learners.
Also, this study aims to determine the action research writing to articulate plans, projects, and programs, varieties of teaching methodologies that will create a simple way on how the learners will appreciate the beauty of knowing and deep understanding of problem solving that involves multiplication process and how they will it apply to their lives.
Furthermore, it aims to develop confidence and boast their knowledge in multiplying numbers Once they are singled out, understood, and analyzed, these issues may be addressed with specific actions and measures. This will eventually result in the better performance of the students, teachers, and the school in general.
As mentioned by Jackson( 2014), Mathematics is an important part of everyday life and is one of the primary focuses in education. Ayaz (2015) Problem Solving also contributes to mathematics itself. It is part of one whole area of the subject that has largely passed unnoticed in schools around the world. Mathematics consists of skills and processes.
On the other hand Ayaz(2015) stated also that Problem Solving is worth pointing out that we find it useful to distinguish between the three words "method", "answer" and "solution". By "method" we mean the means used to get an answer. This will generally involve one or more problem solving strategies. On the other hand, we use "answer" to mean a number, quantity or some other entity that the problem is asking for. Finally, a "solution" is the whole process of solving a problem, including the method of obtaining an answer and the answer itself. We must distinguish every detail in problem solving. “method + answer = solution”.
According to ASQ Quality Press, (2003),define the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the problem; identifying, prioritizing and selecting alternatives for a solution; and implementing a solution. There are there are four basic steps in problem solving ; first Define the problem, second Generate alternative solutions, third Evaluate and select an alternative and the fourth step is Implement and follow up on the solution.
Meanwhile in the K12 book in Mathematics 4 , the following are the steps understand( read and understand the problem), plan( determine the operation to be used ),solve ( solve using the operation) and last check and look back ( see if your answer makes sense and state the complete answer).