ERIC Number: EJ753912
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Sep-15
Pages: 21
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-739X
EISSN: N/A
Limits and the System of Near-Numbers
Swenton, Frank J.
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science & Technology, v37 n6 p643-663 Sep 2006
The paper details a comprehensive system for the treatment of the topic of limits--conceptually, computationally, and formally. The system addresses fundamental linguistic flaws in the standard presentation of limits, which attempts to force limit discussion into the language of individual real numbers and equality. The system of near-numbers properly fits the context of limits, allowing precise and unambiguous notation in limit computation. More importantly, the near-numbers are a set of concrete mathematical objects that provide a scaffold both for building an accurate intuitive understanding of the limit concept and for connecting that understanding to the formal definition of the limit. (Contains 19 figures.)
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Calculus, Mathematical Concepts, Number Systems, Number Concepts, Arithmetic, Geometry
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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