About the Teaching and Learning of Differentiability for Piecewise Functions in Science Degrees’ First-Year Calculus Courses

Abstract

In this work, we present an issue we have observed over the last several years in the first year of Spanish science degrees’ (such as mathematics, physics or engineering) calculus courses. It is related to the study of differentiability of piecewise one real variable real functions at a point. We have analyzed how students study the differentiability of piecewise functions at a point, explaining the students’ work and reasoning and commenting about the common misunderstandings we have found. Then, we have researched about how to help the students in their learning process related to this calculus concept, and we have also used several activities or ways to work: student meeting groups to talk about their worries and misunderstandings, mathematical definitions, explanations and theory and also working out specific examples

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