Ensino de análise combinatória e probabilidade usando jogos de azar

Abstract

In this work, we present a little about the game of chance and its importance for the emergence and development of important mathematical concepts, such as this is the case for counting and probability problems. These concepts are of great relevance in several areas of human knowledge, serving studies in the Fields of computing, statistics, chemistry, biology, etc. We carried out a study on the Jogo do Bicho, its history, functioning, and legal aspects. Soon after, we carried out a bibliographical study on the use of games in teaching mathematics and their didactic potential. We analyze the Jogo do Bicho from the perspective of mathematics, Combinatorial Analysis, and Probability. We also do a study on another popular game of chance, the Mega-Sena. Aiming at using games of chance as a tool for teaching mathematics, we propose didactic sequences for teaching concepts of combinatorics and probability. We use simpler understandings of counting, such as the Multiplicative Principle, and also, we introduce more elaborate studies in exercises that involve combinations with repetition and applications of mathematical expectation.