ERROR ANALYSIS IN THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM MARANHÃO IN OBMEP EXAMS

Abstract

This research is part of a broader study dedicated to investigating learning difficulties in mathematics among basic education students. The research material used was the data from the eighteenth edition of the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP), held in 2023. Through error analysis, the aim was to categorize the errors found in the problem solutions and understand the motivations that led to most of them. The methodological assumptions of Bardin (2016) regarding content analysis were adopted for conducting the investigation. Data collection and processing were carried out through meticulous analysis of the participants' responses, which allowed for a detailed view of the most frequent errors. The analysis revealed that the students' work presents two main types of flaws: calculation errors, related to the execution of algebraic and arithmetic procedures, and conceptual errors, linked to an inadequate understanding of the mathematical content involved in the question. This category stood out due to its recurrence, representing the main obstacles faced by students in solving problems. Based on this understanding, educators can plan more specific, targeted, and efficient pedagogical interventions, contributing to the reduction of the identified shortcomings. The methodology used follows a mixed approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods.