Electronic Proceedings of the Tenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate MathematicsChicago, Illinois, November 6-9, 1997Paper C009Animated Demonstrations for Multivariable Calculus |
John F. PutzMathematics and Computer Science Department Alma College Alma, MI 48801 USA Phone: (517) 463-7253 Fax: (517) 463-7277 putz@alma.edu list of all papers by this author |
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ABSTRACT
With the ability of computer algebra systems to graph surfaces in three dimensions, came a major leap in our capacity to convey the ideas of multivariable calculus. Their facility for animation is the next significant stride. Of all the methods I have tried, animated demonstrations have been the most effective, particularly for: quadric surfaces; level curves and level surfaces; velocity and acceleration vectors; and directional derivative and gradient vector. In this paper, I share ten animated demonstrations that I have written using Maple V Release 4 to teach these topics.Keyword(s): multivariable calculus, Maple