Gender Difference and Problem Solving Skills in Mathematics

Abstract

This paper investigated gender difference and students problem solving skills in mathematics probability by senior secondary school students with a view to determining differences in operational steps and levels of achievers. A total of 300 male and female students were randomly selected from 10 schools in the three educational zones of Niger State. The study is a survey type of research. The instrument used for data collection was an essay test item on probability (ETIP). Three mathematics educators validated the instrument (face and content). The reliability coefficient of the instrument was obtained as 0.87. Data collected were analyzed using difference of means and Anova. The study revealed that: There is no significant difference between the operational steps adopted by male and female studentsand also that there are differences in the operational steps adopted by different levels of achievers. Conclusion and recommendation were given accordingly.

Keywords: Gender, operational steps, mathematics probability, achievers.