This article is based on a research project that has as its main objective to construct individual and group didactic situations called ladders. These situations are based on the construction and solution of challenging, motivating, structured and graded problem sets that allow students to reach a higher competence in mathematics. Its function is to serve as a framework in the construction of mathematical concepts meanings that require analysis and autonomous thinking; the student is able to establish links between mathematics in her or his environment and situations that can be modeled scientically. Furthermore, students mathematical thought strengthening is sought through the application of a learning methodology based on problem solving. This should lead to a better performance in engineering students