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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
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education - Basic Research
- Alternative Conceptions
- Assessment
= Longitudinal
- Cognition
= Cognition Development
- Learning Theory
= Representations
Mathematical Tools
- Multivariable Calculus
= Partial Derivative
- Upper Undergraduate
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
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- PER Literature
- Researchers
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Format:
application/pdf
Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2017…
Access Rights:
Free access
License:
This material is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the published article's author(s), title, proceedings citation, and DOI.
Rights Holder:
American Association of Physics Teachers
DOI:
10.1119/perc.2017.pr.025
NSF Number:
1323800
Keyword:
PERC 2017
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created February 26, 2018 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
March 1, 2018 by Bruce Mason
Last Update
when Cataloged:
March 1, 2018

2017 PERC Notable Paper

Author: Lyle
Posted: March 20, 2019 at 12:56PM

This paper was one of four 2017 PERC Proceedings papers selected as notable by PERLOC and the Notable Papers subcommittee.

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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 December 6, 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 6 December 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. 6 Dec. 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


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