In classical calculus textbooks, the existence of primitive functions of continuous functions is proved by using Riemann integrals. Recently, Patrik Lundström gave a proof via polynomials, based on the Weierstrass approximation theorem. In this note, it is shown that the proof will be easy by using continuous piecewise linear functions.

In XVII century, presumably between 1637 and 1638, with a note in the margin of Diophantus' "Arithmetica", Pierre de Fermat stated that Diophantine equations of the Pythagorean form, x[superscript n] + y[superscript n] = z[superscript n], have no integer solutions for n > 2, and (x, y, z) > 0. Of this statement, however, Fermat…

A simple in-class demonstration of integral Calculus for first-time students is described for straightforward whole number area magnitudes, for ease of understanding. Following the Second Fundamental Theorem of the Calculus, macroscopic differences in ordinal values of several integrals, [delta]"F"(x), are compared to the regions of area…

Translating an informal mathematical argument into a proof which conforms to the norms of the mathematical community in which it is situated is a non-trivial task. Here we discuss several types of products, other than the initial informal argument and its direct formalisation, which we observed students generating in a master's level analysis…

In this article, we revisit the concept of strong differentiability of real functions of one variable, underlying the concept of differentiability. Our discussion is guided by the Straddle Lemma, which plays a key role in this context. The proofs of the results presented are designed to meet a young audience in mathematics, typical of students in…

This article describes various courses designed to incorporate mathematical proofs into courses for non-math and non-science majors. These courses, nicknamed "math beauty" courses, are designed to discuss one topic in-depth rather than to introduce many topics at a superficial level. A variety of courses, each requiring students to…

The high school curriculum sometimes seems like a disconnected collection of topics and techniques. Theorems like the factor theorem and the remainder theorem can play an important role as a conceptual "glue" that holds the curriculum together. These two theorems establish the connection between the factors of a polynomial, the solutions…

Although the mathematics community has long accepted the concept of limit as the foundation of modern Calculus, the concept of limit itself has been marginalized in undergraduate Calculus education. In this paper, I analyze the strategy of conceptual conflict to teach the concept of limit with the aid of an online tool--Desmos graphing calculator.…

This article deals with a short historical introduction to determinants with applications to the theory of equations, geometry, multiple integrals, differential equations and linear algebra. Included are some properties of determinants with proofs, eigenvalues, eigenvectors and characteristic equations with examples of applications to simple…

This note uses the analytic notion of asymptotic functions to study when a function is asymptotic to a polynomial function. Along with associated existence and uniqueness results, this kind of asymptotic behaviour is related to the type of asymptote that was recently defined in a more geometric way. Applications are given to rational functions and…

The maximum power theorem is a useful extension to work on EMF and internal resistance at school level. Furthermore, a very simple physical collision model can be used to show equivalent mathematical patterns to those found with the maximum power theorem and to emphasize fundamental links to ideas of impedance matching. (Contains 2 tables and 6…

Augustus De Morgan (1806-1871) was a significant Victorian Mathematician who made contributions to mathematics history, mathematical recreations, mathematical logic, calculus, and probability and statistics. He was an inspiring mathematics professor who influenced many of his students to join the profession. One of De Morgan's significant books…

Many mathematics students have difficulty making the transition from procedurally oriented courses such as calculus to the more conceptually oriented courses in which they subsequently enroll. What are some of the key "stumbling blocks" for students as they attempt to make this transition? How do differences in faculty expectations for students…

This article gives an elementary proof of the famous identity [image omitted]. Using nothing more than freshman calculus, the present proof is far simpler than many existing ones. This result also leads directly to Euler's and Neville's identities, as well as the identity [image omitted].

A new proof for the monotonicity of the sequence [image omitted] is given as a special case of a large family of monotomic and bounded, hence convergent sequences. The new proof is based on basic calculus results rather than induction, which makes it accessible to a larger audience including business and life sciences students and faculty. The…