POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION OF THE FIRST GRADE: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE COMMERCIAL PRACTICE OF FAIRS OF CAMOCIM-PE

Abstract

Etnomathematics studies the relationships between mathematics knowledge and the different people, which are introduced to this subject, political, economical, social and prior knowledge factors are considered on the teaching and learning process, that are important points to be worked on. In that perspective, precedents are opened for a broader discussion of mathematical concepts, for example, the concept that presents relations with other sciences and applicability to everyday life. In this point of view, on this search we aim analyze which way the polynomial function of the first degree is involved in the practice of fair dealers from Camocim-PE city. To answer the concern: which way the polynomial function of the first degree, introduce itself in fair dealers works practices? Methodologically, the research was classified in a qualitative and descriptive approach, it has five fair dealers as participants. The data production, was developed by semi-structured interviews recorded on audio, through solution records, involving open questionnaires. Both instruments helped to understand the articulation between the participants, and how the polynomial function is related to their experiences in commerce. The analysis content was transcribed, categorized and inferred based on content analysis. Inferences show that the knowledge of function of the first degree is recurrently presented in the commercial practice of fair dealers, for example, in situations involving profit calculation. With that, in general, we conclude that the investigated professionals have a practical mathematical knowledge, more specifically to polynomial function of the first degree, because the use of this knowledge was common in the calculations necessary for this profession.