Matemática financeira: a matemática como um caminho para a formação financeira dos estudantes

Abstract

In the contemporary context, marked by the growing complexity of economic and social relations, Financial Mathematics (FM) and Financial Education (FE) emerge as areas of knowledge of fundamental importance, both for individual development and for collective stability. Understanding this reality, the present work aimed to analyze how FM and FE contents are present in Maranhão's High School, considering their role in students' critical thinking development. To this end, a qualitative approach was adopted, based on bibliographic and documentary research. Initially, a bibliographic review on Financial Mathematics was carried out, focusing on its role in students' financial education, including fundamental concepts and techniques. The foundations of Financial Education were also investigated, as well as related legal aspects, through a brief analysis of the Law of Directives and Bases of National Education (LDB) and the Common National Curricular Base (BNCC) for High School. The results, presented in the Results and Discussions chapter, highlight the analysis of the curricular documents of the Maranhão Territory, specifically the Maranhão Territory Curricular Document (DCTM) and the Curricular Guidance Notebook (COC) for the state high school network. From this analysis, it was possible to identify the concern with students' financial education, through a contextualized approach aimed at developing autonomy, critical thinking, and citizenship. Furthermore, an overview of the current scenario of default in Brazil and Maranhão was drawn, with the presentation of practical examples illustrating the negative impacts of the absence of adequate financial education in the lives of young people. It is concluded, therefore, that FM and FE are of great relevance for the formation of more prepared and conscious citizens in their financial decisions. When approached in a contextualized way, these areas contribute significantly to the expansion of basic education students' knowledge, to the reduction of social inequalities, the promotion of entrepreneurship, and a more active and informed participation in the economic decisions of society.