Electronic Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics

Boston, Massachusetts, February 15-18, 2007

Paper S24A

This is an electronic reprint, reproduced by permission of Pearson Education Inc. Originally appeared in the Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, Edited by Joanne Foster, ISBN 0-321-55846-4, Copyright (C) 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.


Are Textbooks Addressing All Accessible Topics Foundational To Calculus?

Antonio R. Quesada


Department of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-4002
USA


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Michael Smith


Department of Theoretical and Applied Mathematics
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-4002
USA

Michael Todd Edwards


Miami University


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ABSTRACT

We address the following questions. What concepts foundational to calculus can be taught before calculus using the numerical and graphing capabilities of modern calculators? How complete is the coverage of current precalculus textbooks? Finally, how well does an average group of practicing secondary teachers understand these concepts?

Keyword(s): calculus, precalculus, textbooks, calculators, teacher training