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Calculus at A-level and its understanding

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2016

Philip Maher*
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics, Middlesex Polytechnic, Trent Park, Brantley Road, London N14 4XS

Extract

It is my contention that in the teaching of calculus at A level we have, all too often, been producing an understanding of calculus—and, implicitly, a view of mathematics—that is distorted and unrealistic. I am glad of the chance to air these criticisms in this contribution to the debate about the future of sixth form mathematics. (In this article, “sixth form” is synonymous with A level, whether studied at school or college.) Nevertheless, as I maintain later, the changes now being wrought in sixth form mathematics generally may well prove beneficial.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Mathematical Association 1991

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References

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