Análise dos livros didáticos do Programa Nacional do Livro Didático (PNLD) para o 8º ano do ensino fundamental: abordagem do cálculo da raiz quadrada não exata e potencial uso do Algoritmo Chinês

Abstract

Mathematics is essential for students, but some topics, such as square roots, can pose challenges. This concept, fundamental to other mathematical content and with practical applications, is often discussed superficially in textbooks. This research, of a bibliographic, quantitative, documentary and comparative nature had the central objective of analyzing the approach to the concept and calculation of the square root in 8th grade mathematics textbooks, approved by the National Textbook Program , with emphasis on the non-exact square root. The methodology consisted of the analysis of three textbooks, seeking to verify the precision and effectiveness of the square root calculation methods presented in them as well as the attention given to the topic by each of the books. Additionally, the study proposed the Chinese Algorithm as a complementary pedagogical alternative for teaching this mathematical concept. The results of the research revealed that the textbooks analyzed adopt methods for calculating square roots that prove to be more laborious, with imprecise and exhaustive results. On the other hand, the Chinese numeral method proved to be more effective and accurate for both exact and non-exact roots. In conclusion, the study argues that the Chinese Algorithm represents a promising pedagogical alternative for teaching the square root, offering more precision and effectiveness in relation to traditional methods covered in textbooks. Research suggests that adopting the Chinese Algorithm can optimize student learning regarding this concept.