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When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics
written by Michael C. Wittmann and Katrina E. Black
When solving two integrals arising from the separation of variables in a first order linear differential equation, students have multiple correct choices for how to proceed. They might set limits on both integrals or use integration constants on both or only one equation. In each case, the physical meaning of the mathematics is equivalent. But, how students choose to represent the mathematics can tell us much about what they are thinking. We observe students debating how to integrate the quantity dt. One student seeks a general function that works for everyone, and does not wish to specify the value of the integration constant. Another student seeks a function consistent with the specific physics problem. They compromise by using a constant, undefined in value for one student, zero in value for the other.
Physics Education Research Conference 2011
Part of the PER Conference Invited Paper series
Omaha, Nebraska: August 3-4, 2011
Volume 1413, Pages 93-96
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- Calculus
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Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3680002
Access Rights:
Free access and
Available for purchase
A preprint of the work is available. A hard copy of the PERC 2011 proceedings is available for purchase from the AIP.
Restriction:
© 2011 American Institute of Physics
DOI:
10.1063/1.3680002
NSF Numbers:
0441426
0442388
0633951
0962805.
PACSs:
01.40.Fk
01.40.Ha
Keywords:
embodied cognition, PERC 2011, wave propagation
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created April 24, 2012 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
May 15, 2012 by Vince Kuo
Last Update
when Cataloged:
February 6, 2012
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Record Link
AIP Format
M. Wittmann and K. Black, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, 2011, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11821&DocID=2671).
AJP/PRST-PER
M. Wittmann and K. Black, When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, 2011, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11821&DocID=2671>.
APA Format
Wittmann, M., & Black, K. (2011, August 3-4). When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11821&DocID=2671
Chicago Format
Wittmann, Michael, and Katrina E. Black. "When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, August 3-4, 2011. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11821&DocID=2671 (accessed 29 March 2024).
MLA Format
Wittmann, Michael, and Katrina E. Black. "When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics." Physics Education Research Conference 2011. Omaha, Nebraska: 2011. 93-96 Vol. 1413 of PER Conference Invited Paper. 29 Mar. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11821&DocID=2671>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{ Author = "Michael Wittmann and Katrina E. Black", Title = {When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics}, BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2011}, Pages = {93-96}, Address = {Omaha, Nebraska}, Series = {PER Conference Invited Paper}, Volume = {1413}, Month = {August 3-4}, Year = {2011} }
Refer Export Format

%A Michael Wittmann %A Katrina E. Black %T When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics %S PER Conference Invited Paper %V 1413 %D August 3-4 2011 %P 93-96 %C Omaha, Nebraska %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11821&DocID=2671 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2011 %O August 3-4 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Conference Proceedings %A Wittmann, Michael %A Black, Katrina E. %D August 3-4 2011 %T When basic changes to a solution suggest meaningful differences in mathematics %B Physics Education Research Conference 2011 %C Omaha, Nebraska %V 1413 %P 93-96 %S PER Conference Invited Paper %8 August 3-4 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=11821&DocID=2671


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