Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine
written by
David J. Roundy, Eric Weber, Grant Sherer, and Corinne A. Manogue
We developed the Partial Derivative Machine (PDM) in response to difficulties we encountered in teaching students about mathematical concepts involving partial derivatives and total differentials that are needed in thermodynamics. The Partial Derivative Machine is a system that has four observable and controllable properties: two forces and two positions. However, of these four properties only two may be controlled independently. This context-dependence of independent and dependent variables enables the same sort of mathematical flexibility (and confusion) that is present in thermodynamics. Because the PDM is easy to use and understand, we hypothesized that it would allow us to explore the nature of experts' thinking about derivatives, even those unfamiliar with ideas in thermodynamics. In this paper, we present results from interviews with experts from several disciplines, as we explore how they understand partial derivatives when given an ambiguous prompt. The research question guiding this work is "How do experts think about partial derivatives?"
Physics Education Research Conference 2014
Part of the PER Conference series Minneapolis, MN: July 30-31, 2014 Pages 227-230
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=13493">Roundy, D, E. Weber, G. Sherer, and C. Manogue. "Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, July 30-31, 2014.</a>
AIP Format
D. Roundy, E. Weber, G. Sherer, and C. Manogue, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 2014, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13493&DocID=4088).
AJP/PRST-PER
D. Roundy, E. Weber, G. Sherer, and C. Manogue, Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 2014, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13493&DocID=4088>.
APA Format
Roundy, D., Weber, E., Sherer, G., & Manogue, C. (2014, July 30-31). Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13493&DocID=4088
Chicago Format
Roundy, D, E. Weber, G. Sherer, and C. Manogue. "Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, July 30-31, 2014. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13493&DocID=4088 (accessed 7 December 2024).
MLA Format
Roundy, David, Eric Weber, Grant Sherer, and Corinne Manogue. "Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine." Physics Education Research Conference 2014. Minneapolis, MN: 2014. 227-230 of PER Conference. 7 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13493&DocID=4088>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{
Author = "David Roundy and Eric Weber and Grant Sherer and Corinne Manogue",
Title = {Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine},
BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2014},
Pages = {227-230},
Address = {Minneapolis, MN},
Series = {PER Conference},
Month = {July 30-31},
Year = {2014}
}
Refer Export Format
%A David Roundy %A Eric Weber %A Grant Sherer %A Corinne Manogue %T Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine %S PER Conference %D July 30-31 2014 %P 227-230 %C Minneapolis, MN %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13493&DocID=4088 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2014 %O July 30-31 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Roundy, David %A Weber, Eric %A Sherer, Grant %A Manogue, Corinne %D July 30-31 2014 %T Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine %B Physics Education Research Conference 2014 %C Minneapolis, MN %P 227-230 %S PER Conference %8 July 30-31 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13493&DocID=4088 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. Experts' Understanding of Partial Derivatives Using the Partial Derivative Machine:Know of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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