In this paper, an investment problem is investigated in terms of elementary algebra, recurrence relations, functions, and calculus at high school level. The problem comes down to understanding the behaviour of a function associated with the problem and, in particular, to finding the zero of the function. A wider purpose is not only to formulate…

Prior research suggests that introductory physics students have difficulty with graphing and interpreting graphs. Here, we discuss an investigation of student difficulties in translating between mathematical and graphical representations for a problem in electrostatics and the effect of increasing levels of scaffolding on students'…

An account is made of the relationship between the convergence behaviour of a sequence and the accumulation points of the underlying set of the sequence. The aim is to provide students with opportunities to contrast two types of mathematical entities through their commonalities and differences in structure. The more set-oriented perspective that…