Primality Studies in Basic EducationE: Elaboration of Didactic Sequence with the use of Timeline
Primalidade; Linha do tempo; Sequência Didática; Educação Básica
Research into the properties of prime numbers portrays elements that were the subject of dedication and effort by many mathematicians, in different parts of the world and at different times. The study of Primality composes fragments of studies that imply different applications in the field of mathematical knowledge. And so, as it is a knowledge that was built gradually, it has a spatial and temporal dimension. The proposal that is brought here is to present the main concepts of Primality adapted to Basic Education with the resource of a timeline, which portrays the conceptual and historical trajectory of prime numbers, since Euclid (300 BC), in his work “ The Elements”, passing through the Sieve of Eratosthenes (230 BC), equations and results presented by Fermat, Mersenne and Euler (17th - 18th centuries), possible frequency patterns, Gauss (19th century), Riemann hypothesis (1959) , the zeros of the zeta function, Hardy and Ramanujan (1914-1919), the machines and Alan Turing (1940-1950), the RSA encryption system (1970-1980) and ending the late 20th century, physics concepts quantum physics, chaos and prime numbers. In this sense, we propose the construction of a didactic sequence, based on Zabala (1998). With this chronology in hand, we will use the arithmetic results presented in each phase, based on their historical framework, understanding when and how they were thought and making the didactic transposition to a language aimed at basic education, giving meaning to learning and a different approach from current textbooks. We will support the material based on the Junior Scientific Initiation Program of OBMEP – PIC, The Fascínio dos Números Primos by Jucimar Peruzzo in parallel with the Arithmetic book from the PROFMAT collection by Abramo Hefez, 2016, which will guide mathematical learning and serve of reference in the construction of the proposed didactic sequence.