Estrategias que utilizan los estudiantes para la resolución de un problema matemático y su incidencia en el rendimiento académico

Abstract

Mathematics is a fundamental discipline of the curriculum at all levels of regular education, its learning is essential for the development of logical and critical thinking, and interpret and solve mathematical problems, increasingly complex; and, all this, due to the growing importance of this science in all spheres of social development. The students of the first cycle of the Academic Unit of Agricultural Sciences, of the Technical University of Machala, province of El Oro, Ecuador, who study the careers of Agronomic Engineering, Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Aquaculture Engineering and Agricultural Economics presented difficulties in the resolution of Mathematical problems, which generated the need to perform the present research, which aims to describe the mathematical problem solving strategies used by students and their relationship with academic performance. The study responds to a non-experimental methodological design with a quantitative approach, with a sample composed of 110 students, for which a test-type test and observation card were used as techniques for the collection of information, based on a questionnaire with two mathematical and perception problems, built ad hoc for research. As results, some levels of procedures used by the students were identified as resolution strategies, based on the reading and comprehension processes, planning, resolution, execution and evaluation of the procedure for the correction and logical interpretation of the response obtained. Among the main strategies identified for solving problems are the reading repetition of the statements, transcription of the problem in words and common examples, use of underlining and reading and writing, strategic manipulation of unknowns and informative data, procedural schematization, use of arithmetic, graphing, logical verification and search for alternative answers. The incidence of the strategies determined an efficiency in the academic performance for the solution of the mathematical problems.