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Pre-university students’ errors in integration of rational functions and implications for classroom teaching
Citation
Ng, K. Y., & Toh, T. L. (2008). Pre-university students’ errors in integration of rational functions and implications for classroom teaching. Journal of Science and Mathematics Education in Southeast Asia, 31(2), 100-116.
Abstract
This paper reports on students’ errors in performing integration of rational functions, a topic of calculus in the pre-university mathematics classrooms. Generally the errors could be classified as those due to the students’ weak algebraic concepts and their lack of understanding of the concept of integration. With the students’ inability to link integration to differentiation, these errors could not be detected or rectified. From a deeper perspective, these errors were due to a lack of deep mathematical thinking when the students learnt calculus. This paper also presents the implications of the findings of this study in relation to the classroom teaching of mathematics. It is hoped that the articulation of students’ errors and the implications could provide guidance for classroom teachers and prompt further research into students’ errors and misconceptions in calculus concepts.
Date Issued
2008
Publisher
SEAMEO RECSAM
Journal
Journal of Science and Mathematics Education in Southeast Asia