S.A. Pratiwi, D.B. Widjajanti
Problem solving is one of the ability existed in the component of Realistic Mathematics Education. This ability becomes more important for a student to understand, analyse and formulate the daily-life problem into formal mathematics, such as real-life problem, problem-based specific context, and the problem itself. Even though problem solving is an important component that must be mastered by the student in learning mathematics, not every student has a certain skill to understand and solve the problems occured in daily life. Many students do neither master the basic mathematics concepts nor know the specific criteria in problem solving ability. Regarding the fulfilment, this paper aims to investigate how to optimize problem solving ability using Realistic Mathematics Education as a part of student's learning. The method used in this article is literature review in which the data collected through a study of several theories and the results of relevant scientific research such as mathematics learning, problem solving concept, Realistic Mathematics Education theory and the others. The result shows that the ability of problem solving and Realistic Mathematics Education interconnected each other, which is Realistic Mathematics Education has the important role in optimizing problem solving, especially in solving contextual problem. According to the result, this article contribute to improving teachers and students mathematics proficiency and deepening the learning theories especially the theories of mathematics problem solving to be more skilful and well-experienced in learning mathematics. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Graduate School of Mathematics Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
