Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Mathematical Sciences
Date of Award
5-2007
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Michel Helfgott
Committee Members
Robert B. Gardner, Daryl Stephens
Abstract
Many students face tremendous difficulty in high school and/or college level calculus courses. The author hopes that by introducing students to the following nontraditional three topics prior to calculus, students' understanding of calculus will be enhanced. This thesis focuses on the following topics:
- Tangent Lines to Conics
- Maxima and Minima
- Biquadratic Equations
Because these topics are not generally covered in precalculus courses, there are several possible uses for them. An instructor could use the material as:
- An added classroom resource
- Project assignments for outside classroom study
- A student resource for precalculus advanced studies, or
- An independent study
This thesis assumes that the student is well prepared for the precalculus course by having a good understanding of foundational algebra skills.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
DeFord, Dinah Lynn, "Strengthening the Precalculus Bridge: Enhancing the Precalculus Student's Understanding of Tangents to Conics, Biquadratic Equations, and Maxima and Minima" (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2084. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2084
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.