Critical thinking: Analysis of student strategy stages in solving numeration problems

One of the goals of learning mathematics is critical thinking. Critical thinking ability is very important in everyday life because it can develop other thinking skills. In the 21st century, critical thinking in solving problems is one of the competencies that must be possessed. Therefore, the ability and skills of critical thinking began to be considered. One way is by having numeration questions given to students to practice their critical thinking abilities and skills. So this study aims to describe students' critical thinking processes in solving numeracy problems. This research is a qualitative research because the data obtained is in the form of sentences in spoken and written forms. Students' critical thinking processes were observed by looking at the results of students' work in solving the given problems and interviews. Data was collected through written numeracy tests and task-based interviews. The research instrument was the researcher himself who was assisted by task sheets in the form of numeration questions and task-based interview sheets. The subject of the interview was chosen by one student in the class who has the most complete answer fulfilling the critical thinking process indicator. Data analysis was carried out based on the stages of qualitative research. The results of the study describe students' critical thinking in solving numeracy problems about geometry and measurement through the stages of clarification, assessment, inference, and strategy.