Students’ Difficulties in Problem-Solving: analysis from teaching proposals in master’s degree dissertations

Abstract The objective of the article was to answer the following question: ‘What are students’ difficulties in Basic Education evidenced in teaching proposals that used problem-solving to apply mathematical content and, from these difficulties, what understandings are revealed about the teaching process?’ In the bibliographical research modality, we selected six master’s degree dissertations. After describing the teaching proposals, we analyzed the students’ difficulties in the problem-solving process. The results showed that most of the difficulties are in understanding problems, precisely because of the poor formation of mathematical concepts and the lack of knowledge about the meaning of words. We also verified difficulties in using formulas and operating with mathematical algorithms. To overcome such difficulties, it is understood that the process of teaching with problem-solving should avoid following a simple content resumption/revision. We conclude that it is necessary to incorporate an approach of formation of mathematical concepts and procedures.