Applied College Students' Use of Algebraic Thinking Skills in Solving Financial Mathematics Problems: An Emerging Model

Document Type : Original Article

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College of Community Service and Continuous Education at Umm Al-Qura University

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the use of algebraic thinking skills of banking and finance diploma students in the College of Applied Sciences at Umm Al-Qura University in the context of simple interest problems in a financial mathematics course. A qualitative approach to fundamental Theory was used. The sample included twenty students randomly selected to study the financial mathematics course. Semi-structured interviews based on simple interest problem tasks were used to collect empirical data. The study's results revealed four main processes comprising an emerging substantive theory about students' use of algebraic thinking skills. These are: 1) Understanding the problem through repeated reading and extracting known and unknown information; 2) Implementing the solution by identifying the meaning of symbols, using abstract symbols to define variables, and using algebraic properties to arrive at the solution; and using functional reasoning to identify relationships between variables. 3) Evaluating the solution, which is done by verifying the solution, simplifying the solution, and manipulating symbols to verify the solution; 4) Expanding the solution, which is done by generalizing the general pattern of the simple interest formula. The emerging Theory also suggests that intervening factors such as students' abilities, prior knowledge, teacher, motivation,

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  • Receive Date: 20 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 09 May 2025

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