O impacto das Olimpíadas de Matemática no desenvolvimento do pensamento algébrico no 6o e 7o ano

Abstract

This study investigate the impact of Mathematics Olympiads on the development of algebraic thinking among 6th- and 7th-grade students from a public state school in João Pessoa, Brazil. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques through the application of a questionnaire containing problems from the Paraíba Mathematics Olympiad (OPM), the Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad (OBMEP), and textbooks, along with questions about participants’ perceptions and experiences. Data were analyzed based on concepts from the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base (BNCC), the Paraíba State Curriculum Proposal, and the literature on algebraic thinking and algebra teaching. The findings revealed that participation in mathematics olympiads fosters the development of skills such as pattern recognition, equation solving, and logical reasoning. Furthermore, challenging, contextualized, problem-solving-based activities were found to enhance students’ conceptual understanding of algebra and to promote an investigative stance towards problem situations. The study reinforces the importance of integrating mathematics competitions into pedagogical practice as a mean to strengthen learning and algebraic thinking.