In this article, we consider certain minimization problems. If d[subscript 1], d[subscript 2] and d[subscript 3] are the distances of a boundary or inner point to the sides of a given triangle, find the point which minimizes d[subscript 1][superscript n] + d[subscript 2][superscript n] + d[subscript 3][superscript n] for positive integer n. These…

We propose an original machine that traces conics and some transcendental curves (oblique trajectories of confocal conics) by the solution of inverse tangent problems. For such a machine, we also provide the 3D-printable model to be used as an intriguing supplement for geometry, calculus, or ordinary differential equations classes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate university students' conceptions of the definite integral in the process of finding the volume of a solid of revolution. The participants were four students enrolled in a university calculus course in Turkey. Data were obtained by task-based interviews, in which the participants had to work on a problem…

In this note we describe the mathematics that emerges from the construction of an origami box. We first construct a simple origami box from two rectangular sheets and then discuss some of the mathematical questions that arise in the context of algebra, geometry and calculus.

In this article special sequences involving the Butterfly theorem are defined. The Butterfly theorem states that if M is the midpoint of a chord PQ of a circle, then following some definite instructions, it is possible to get two other points X and Y on PQ, such that M is also the midpoint of the segment XY. The convergence investigation of those…

In this study, the conceptualizations used by prospective middle school mathematics teachers when defining, representing, and exemplifying the slope concept and relating it with other mathematical situations were examined. Participants' conceptualizations were identified by Nagle, C., Moore-Russo, D., Viglietti, J., & Martin, K. [(2013).…

Tangent lines are often first introduced to students in geometry during the study of circles. The topic may be repeatedly reintroduced to students in different contexts throughout their schooling, and often each reintroduction is accompanied by a new, nonequivalent definition of tangent lines. In calculus, tangent lines are again reintroduced to…

Many students do not have a deep understanding of slope. This paper defines what a deep understanding of slope is in terms of mathematics-education theory. The various factors which help explain why such a deep understanding is difficult to acquire are then discussed. These factors include the following: the different representations for slope;…

The purpose of these notes is to generalize and extend a challenging geometry problem from a mathematics competition. The notes also contain solution sketches pertaining to the problems discussed.

This note presents a derivation of Viète's classic product approximation of pi that relies on only the Pythagorean Theorem. We also give a simple error bound for the approximation that, while not optimal, still reveals the exponential convergence of the approximation and whose derivation does not require Taylor's Theorem.

For over 50 years, the learning of teaching of "a priori" bounds on solutions to linear differential equations has involved a Euclidean approach to measuring the size of a solution. While the Euclidean approach to "a priori" bounds on solutions is somewhat manageable in the learning and teaching of the proofs involving…

This study consisted of two stages. In stage A, 38 students were divided randomly into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group received lectures assisted by dynamic geometry software (DGS) and the control group received lectures using chalk and blackboard. The effects of DGS on metacognition and its components were…

In this article, we revisit the concept of strong differentiability of real functions of one variable, underlying the concept of differentiability. Our discussion is guided by the Straddle Lemma, which plays a key role in this context. The proofs of the results presented are designed to meet a young audience in mathematics, typical of students in…

This paper reports the results of a research exploring the mathematical connections of pre-university students while they solving tasks which involving rates of change. We assume mathematical connections as a cognitive process through which a person finds real relationships between two or more ideas, concepts, definitions, theorems, procedures,…

In this paper, we report on an experimental activity for discussing the concepts of speed, instantaneous speed and acceleration, generally introduced in first year university courses of calculus or physics. Rather than developing the ideas of calculus and using them to explain these basic concepts for the study of motion, we led 82 first year…