Walter Bradley Center Fellow Jonathan Bartlett’s paper on fixing long-standing flaws in the teaching of elementary calculus was recently reviewed in Mathematics Magazine.
Bartlett (above left, with his recent book, Calculus from the Ground Up), is delighted that math professionals want to evaluate proposed changes in teaching practice. He tells us, “The review was mixed, but most importantly the reviewer didn’t disagree with the results, only their potential usefulness. Final sentence: ‘The authors make a strong case for a clear and honest notation that facilitates working with differentials, but the formula above is probably just as confusing for students as the shorthand expression.’”
The purpose of Bartlett's Calculus Paper is to address the confusion surrounding calculus notation and differentials, and to provide a clear and concise explanation of these concepts.
The target audience for Bartlett's Calculus Paper is anyone who is studying or struggling with calculus, particularly those who are confused by the notation and use of differentials.
This paper is unique in that it specifically focuses on the confusing aspects of calculus notation and differentials, providing clear examples and explanations to help readers better understand these concepts.
No, this paper is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to learning calculus. It is intended to supplement other resources and provide clarification on confusing notation and differentials.
No, Bartlett's Calculus Paper is applicable to all types of calculus, including differential, integral, and multivariable calculus. The concepts and notation discussed are relevant to all branches of calculus.