A Study of Mathematical Misconceptions and Mistakes in Permutation and Combination

The purpose of this research was to study mathematical misconceptions and mistakes in permutation and combination. The research samples, selected by purposive sampling, consisted of 72 first-year pre-cadet students from Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. The research instrument used for collecting data was a mathematical test of misconceptions and mistakes in permutation and combination. The results of the research revealed that the most mathematical misconceptions were mistranslations. The second one was misuses of rules or theory. The least mathematical misconceptions were defective understanding of mathematics truths. The most mathematical mistakes were errors in operation and computation. The second one was errors in wrong data use. The least mathematical mistakes were errors in language and symbols.