ERIC Number: EJ1420490
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-739X
EISSN: EISSN-1464-5211
Available Date: N/A
On Studying Equivalent (or Not) Definitions: The Case of Limits in R and R[superscript 2]
Joanna Mamona-Downs
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, v55 n5 p1243-1255 2024
This paper initiates a teaching sequence that focuses on building up equivalent definitions to the standard ones for the limit concept in Real Analysis. It comprises two parts: The first provides a classroom assignment where students, guided by Analysis lecturers, are led to develop an alternative definition to the [epsilon] - [delta] one for limits of one-variable real functions that are based on the realisation of the interval of [delta]'s. In the second one, students are directed by their instructor to restore equivalence between two distinct definitions of limit for a function mapping a subset of R[superscript 2] into R. This is done by adding a condition to one of the definitions, resulting in a third definition that "is" equivalent to the other one.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Teaching Methods, Definitions, Mathematical Concepts, Concept Formation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A