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Programming-based activities are becoming more widespread in curricula. Our theoretical and empirical investigation seeks to identify appropriate ways to connect computer programming and algorithmics to mathematical learning. We take the intermediate value theorem as our starting point, as it is covered by the French school curriculum, and because of its links with the bisection algorithm. We build upon the theory of mathematical working spaces, distinguishing between algorithmic and mathematical working spaces. Both working spaces are explored from the semiotic, instrumental, and discursive dimensions that support learning. Our two research questions focus on the suitable algorithmic and mathematical working spaces in which students develop an understanding of the intermediate value theorem, and the bisection algorithm. Our method starts at the reference level, with an epistemological and curricular analysis. Then, a series of tasks is designed for students working in adidacticity, and suitable working spaces are determined a priori. The tasks have been implemented in French classrooms with students aged 16-19. An analysis of their work supports an a posteriori examination of the working spaces. Our findings demonstrate that the students were able to make connections between algorithmics and mathematics in each of the three dimensions, semiotic, instrumental, and discursive, and point out the interplay between these dimensions.

This article deals with an introduction of probability at school through sensory modalities. This approach is based on sampling fluctuation with empirical observations of frequencies. Initially, we analyze how students from high school work on such a task by using dice, pencil, and paper. We then identify the use of schemas and data visualization by students. Considering schemas as a primitive form of algorithmic approaches, we observe interaction with mathematics. In class, students know how to use notion of frequency, but linking frequencies with probability appears to be a difficult issue. This absence of a statistical link leads us to identify entry points for probability teaching. We then decide to analyze primary school students when they have to explore a random experiment by using statistics.