Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives
written by
Paul J. Emigh and Corinne A. Manogue
We present results from an investigation into how students interpret partial derivatives at different points in their undergraduate career. We gave a long-answer survey to students that asked them to explain the meaning of the derivative in three different contexts. The survey was given near the beginning of a multivariable calculus class and at the start and end of a year-long junior-level physics sequence. We found two common overarching interpretations of the derivative: one corresponding to "slope" and the other to "change." We discuss the results using a concept image framework based on the work of Zandieh. We also note differences in the response patterns of the students in the mathematics and physics courses and differences in how students interpret the derivative across different representations of functions.
Physics Education Research Conference 2017
Part of the PER Conference series Cincinnati, OH: July 26-27, 2017 Pages 120-123
2017 PERC Notable Paper
Author: Lyle This paper was one of four 2017 PERC Proceedings papers selected as notable by PERLOC and the Notable Papers subcommittee.
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=14584">Emigh, Paul, and Corinne Manogue. "Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, July 26-27, 2017.</a>
AIP Format
P. Emigh and C. Manogue, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, 2017, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14584&DocID=4761).
AJP/PRST-PER
P. Emigh and C. Manogue, Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, 2017, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14584&DocID=4761>.
APA Format
Emigh, P., & Manogue, C. (2017, July 26-27). Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH. Retrieved October 5, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14584&DocID=4761
Chicago Format
Emigh, Paul, and Corinne Manogue. "Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, July 26-27, 2017. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14584&DocID=4761 (accessed 5 October 2024).
MLA Format
Emigh, Paul, and Corinne Manogue. "Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives." Physics Education Research Conference 2017. Cincinnati, OH: 2017. 120-123 of PER Conference. 5 Oct. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14584&DocID=4761>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{
Author = "Paul Emigh and Corinne Manogue",
Title = {Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives},
BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2017},
Pages = {120-123},
Address = {Cincinnati, OH},
Series = {PER Conference},
Month = {July 26-27},
Year = {2017}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Paul Emigh %A Corinne Manogue %T Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives %S PER Conference %D July 26-27 2017 %P 120-123 %C Cincinnati, OH %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14584&DocID=4761 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2017 %O July 26-27 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Emigh, Paul %A Manogue, Corinne %D July 26-27 2017 %T Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives %B Physics Education Research Conference 2017 %C Cincinnati, OH %P 120-123 %S PER Conference %8 July 26-27 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14584&DocID=4761 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. Student Interpretations of Partial Derivatives:Know of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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