Problem Solving in Financial Mathematics for the Treatment of Financial Education Matters in High School

Abstract In this article, which originated from a Master's Dissertation, we present the results of a research, which objective was financial education, approached with activities that focused on concepts and calculations of financial mathematics, with questions immersed in socioeconomic values. We adopted the methodology of problem solving by Polya (2006), Dante (2009) among others, which allowed us not only to work with models of financial mathematics but to experience economic, social, and political issues in school. We use the parameters of the financial mathematics of Puccini (2007). We refer to several academics, members of the research group in Financial Mathematics as support for financial education and decision making, from Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), which is coordinated by Dr. Marco Aurélio Kistemann Junior. The explored contents of mathematics were functions and progressions, with an interdisciplinary approach. The subjects were high school students in basic education. Five activities were built with problems, approaching concepts, and financial calculations, from subjects such as savings and financing. Here, we present the analysis of two questions from activities one and two. Through the analysis of errors, a continuous improvement of the student's reflexive posture was evidenced, not only in the resolution of the financial problems by the calculations made, but also in the interpretation of the propositions under study. The results, resolutions, and interpretations obtained, confirmed the efficiency of the methodology used.