Abstract :This research aims to reflect on the role of problem solving in mathematics classes, presenting the different types of problems that can be proposed by teachers to students. This work was carried out through a qualitat ive approach, in which the accumulated theoretical knowledge was considered, based on a bibliographical research, with reference to the works of Vergnaud, Polya, Dante and Brosseau. Researched states of art carried out in this theme and searched the author s most used in the research to form our theoretical framework. We present the main contributions of the authors and how these theoretical studies can contribute to the practice in the classroom. In addition, we present an activity where we analyze each ref erence author. In general we have proposed the reflection on the ways to solve a mathematical problem and how the classes can become more meaningful to the students.