Three teaching ideas are presented: how to present changes between scientific notation and decimal form that eliminate some student confusion; an analysis of an incorrect algebra equation that produced a correct answer; and aspects of a standard calculus problem dealing with minimum and maximum values. (MP)

An unusual alternative starting point for instruction in a beginning calculus course that focuses on Fixed Point Iteration (FPI) is presented. (MP)

This study investigated students' conceptual and procedural understanding of calculus within the context of an engineering mechanics course. Four traditional calculus students were compared with three students from one of the calculus reform projects, Calculus & Mathematica. Task-based interviews were conducted with each participant throughout…

Some concrete examples of the use of historical materials in developing certain topics from precalculus and calculus are presented. Ideas which can be introduced with a reformulated curriculum are discussed in five areas: algorithms, combinatorics, logarithms, trigonometry, and mathematical models. (MNS)

A tool to aid elementary calculus students in the computation of unusual limits is reviewed. (MP)

An organized series of steps designed to help students solve related rate problems often found in beginning calculus is presented. Two example problems are taken through five steps of solution. (MP)

The so-called discrete approach in calculus instruction involves introducing topics from the calculus of finite differences and finite sums, both for motivation and as useful tools for applications of the calculus. In particular, it provides an ideal setting in which to incorporate computers into calculus courses. This approach has been…

Provides pathological examples for which graphing calculators sometimes give surprising, misleading, or incorrect results. Investigates some of the more interesting of these examples encountered while using the TI-85 in a variety of undergraduate courses including calculus and matrix theory. (DDR)

Parts one and two of a one-year computer-oriented calculus course (without analytic geometry) are presented. The ideas of calculus are introduced and motivated through computer (i.e., algorithmic) concepts. An introduction to computing via algorithms and a simple flow chart language allows the book to be self-contained, except that material on…

The objectives of this research were to review existing computer-assisted instruction systems for propositional calculus proofs or elementary logic and to develop an instructional computer program that guides students in the valid construction of propositional calculus proofs. The system is unique in that it provides assistance at each step of the…

Reform efforts in mathematics aim to increase conceptual understanding, an aim that can be supported through concept maps. This study compared the conceptual knowledge of function held by college students in reform and traditional calculus sections at a large state university. Fourteen students from reform sections and 14 from traditional sections…

This textbook was designed for a first course in differential and integral calculus, and is directed toward students in engineering, the sciences, mathematics, and computer science. Its major goal is to bring students to a level of technical competence and intuitive understanding of calculus that is adequate for applying the subject to real world…

Many of the suggestions that calculus instructors have published as articles from 1908 through 1973 are included in this book of readings. The main criterion for selecting an item was whether it would be helpful to teachers and students; therefore, those which dealt exclusively with curricular structure were not included. The selected articles are…

Presents several types of functions which fit a given set of data and create opportunities for classroom discussion comparing different kinds of functions and identifying some of the potential hazards associated with extrapolation from best-fit functions. (DDR)