Resumo

OCHOVIET, Cristina  e  OKTAC, Asuman. Some aspects of the development of algebraic thinking: the concept of variable root and second-degree polynomial equations. Educ. mat [online]. 2011, vol.23, n.3, pp. 91-121. ISSN 1665-5826.

We present research results in relation with equation producing given certain conditions, and understanding of the concept of variable in the context of equation solving, by secondary level Uruguayan students. Our results demonstrate some of the difficulties that students have with formulating examples of equations given their roots, the strategies that they use in order to determine if certain given numbers are roots of an equation, and the problem of understanding that a second degree equation with one unknown can have two different roots; aspects that illustrate some facets of the long process of the acquisition of the variable concept.

Palavras-chave : second degree equation; root; variable; null product property.