This study aims to identify the role of mathematical representation as a mediator between mathematical belief and problem solving. A quasi-experimental design was developed that included 426 Form 1 secondary school students. Respondents comprised 209 and 217 students in the treatment and control groups, respectively. SPSS 23.0, ANATES 4 and Amos 18 were used for data analysis. Findings indicated that mathematical representation plays a significant role as mediator between mathematical belief and arithmetic problem solving. The Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach successfully increased the arithmetic problem-solving ability of students.
Guided by a model promoted by Biccard and Wessels (2011) and empirical evidence, this work aims to examine a model that includes meta-cognitive behaviour and mathematical modelling competency with the indirect effects of two performance goal sub-constructs, namely, other-approach and other-avoidance goals. The study investigates the correlation between meta-cognitive behaviour and performance goals that may affect mathematical modelling competency. A total of 538 mathematics education programme students (89.8% female and 10.2% male) in Indonesia are considered. A correlational study is performed to examine the level of the link amongst mathematical modelling competency, performance goals and meta-cognitive behaviour. Results show that meta-cognitive behaviour positively affects mathematical modelling competency, but no significant direct relationship is observed between performance goals and mathematical modelling competency. Furthermore, other-approach and other-avoidance goals are significant mediators between meta-cognitive behaviour and mathematical modelling competency. We conclude that meta-cognitive behaviour positively influences the mathematical modelling competency of students, which is unaffected by other-approach and other-avoidance goals.