OPTIMIZING THE UNDERSTANDING OF INTEGERS WITH AN ECONOMIC APPROACH TO IMPROVE THE MATHEMATICS LEARNING OUTCOMES OF SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS AT MTS PSM SUGIHWARAS

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Integers are a fundamental topic in mathematics that are often considered abstract by students,
especially at the junior high school level, which makes it difficult to understand the material. In fact,
the concept of integers has many connections to everyday life, such as economic activities involving
profit and loss in business, debts, and repayments. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of
the economic approach in teaching integers on improving the mathematics learning outcomes of
seventh-grade students at MTs PSM Sugihwaras. The research method used is Classroom Action
Research with 2 cycles. The research subjects were seventh-grade students in class VII-A at MTs
PSM Sugihwaras, totaling 22 students. Out of a total population of 45 students in the seventh grade,
through the implementation of economic-based contextual learning, students were invited to
understand integers through simulations of simple economic activities. The results of the study
showed that this approach was able to improve learning outcomes.