The derivative of a composite function, taken with the chain rule is one of the important notions in calculus. This paper describes a study conducted in Turkey that shows that the chain rule was given with the formula in function notation and/or the Leibniz notation without relating these formulas to life-related problem situations in the…

This project was designed to address gender issues in mathematics education. The author's findings led her to conclude that students construct their own understanding and knowledge as a result of activities in the classroom. Constructivism, a theory of knowledge based on the idea that people construct their own realities by interacting with the…

Results from a large-scale study of sixth-form and college students' understanding of elementary calculus and mathematical ideas underlying calculus are presented. Difficulties with speed, tables, linear graphs, curves and differences, the tangent as the limit, and the average rate of change are each discussed. (MNS)