Arithmetic Procedures in Variational Phenomena Problem-Solving

Abstract From the mathematical process of elaboration, comparison and practice of procedures, one of the five general mathematics processes according to MEN (1998), we presented in this document, the findings of a research which objective was to characterize some of the difficulties faced by students solving problems involving the variational phenomena. The phenomenological study of the experimental type allowed, through a qualitative methodology, to recognize, regarding the difficulties linked to arithmetic type procedures, that some students entering the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) have difficulty to realize mental calculations putting at stake relations and numerical properties, as well as to use a numerical system suitable to represent the change and the variation of the phenomenon.