Significados do sinal de igualdade na Matemática

Abstract

The central goal of this study is to make a general and systematic classification of the meanings of the equality sign in Mathematics, going beyond the contexts of school Arithmetic and Algebra, as is usual in researches related to the theme. We intend, therefore, to identify meanings of = not yet referenced in previous studies and to broaden our understanding of this sign in Mathematics. Additionally, we aim to analyze the influence of this sign in the learning of mathematical contents as well as the way students interpret it. Because we understand that it is almost impossible to determine the meaning of an expression without considering the context in which it arises and our own knowledge, to achieve the central goal of this research, we analyze the meaning of the equality sign in various real situations of use. As a source of context for the use of the equality sign, we have used several studies related to the theme, as well as textbooks of Mathematics of Middle and High School and Higher education. Initially, we analyzed the meanings of the equality sign described in related works. Next, we performed a research in Mathematics textbooks in order to identify the meanings of this sign in various situations of use. As a result, we have been able to elaborate a general systematization of the meanings of the sign of equality, which accounts for the uses of this sign in the most varied contexts of both Middle and High School and of Higher Education. In addition, we identify new meanings of = , not referenced in any of the papers analyzed. Finally, we conclude that unknowing of the meanings of the equality sign influences the learning of arithmetic and algebraic concepts, and such unknowing is one of the main obstacles to the learning of Algebra.