Open AccessFundamental influences related to language-based difficulties in financial mathematics
Author(s) -
Anass Bayaga,
Xolani Khalo,
George Moyo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
south african journal of higher education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1753-5913
pISSN - 1011-3487
DOI - 10.20853/35-3-3537
Subject(s) - mathematics education , contrast (vision) , semantics (computer science) , sample (material) , population , computer science , psychology , artificial intelligence , sociology , chemistry , demography , chromatography , programming language
Motivated in part by a sustained amount of research in South Africa and principally guided by techniques of problem-solving suggested by Polya as well as error analysis by Newman, the current research examines fundamental influencers (underlying factors) relating errors due to language difficulties in financial mathematics concerning the language of instruction. The current research was accomplished using a case study design. The sample size was 105 out of a population of 186, with assumption of confidence and precision levels at 95 per cent and 0.5 respectively. The aim of the study was addressed by using both sets of structured-interview and document analysis for collecting data. Analysis of data was conducted by both content analysis as well as correlation analysis, wherein, the analysis revealed that errors committed by learners in financial mathematics were due to language difficulties. In contrast, misinterpretation of the mathematical semantics was not as a result of not indicating answers as expected, not following instructions, and not understanding instructions.