WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD

LEARN IN CALCULUS

Hendra Gunawan
27 April 2023

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Different from Physics and
Chemistry, Mathematics does
not deal with physical objects
but with ideas, even though
eventually there are
mathematical ideas that are
used in understanding real
phenomena (in the physical
world).

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WHAT STUDENTS LEARN IN CALCULUS,
IN TERMS OF CONTENTS
 Limit
 Derivatives
 Integrals
 Differential equations
 …

Students learn the notions of functions/

relationships and ‘micro’ quantities
(infinitesimals), and their applications.
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Two Main Foci

▪ Mathematical language
How things are formulated/represented
▪ Mathematical abilities
How to solve mathematical problems

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Some differences with high school
mathematics

▪ Similar but not the same: At high

school students learn more about
formulas and use them (lower order
thinking).
▪ At universities, students are
supposed to learn concepts,
understand and apply rules/
theorems, analyze, evaluate, and
make conclusions (higher order
thinking).
▪ Moreover, at universities,
Calculus is taught in a
structured manner.
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How a Concept is Defined

▪ At universities, definitions of (and the ideas

behind) limits, derivatives, and integrals are
stated (and explained).

▪ For example, the definite integral of a

function over the interval [a, b] is defined as
the limit of Riemann sums.

▪ Fundamental Theorems of Calculus are stated

and proved (or at least explained).
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DEFINITION OF LIMITS lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿
𝑥→𝑐

For every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that

0 < | x – c | < δ → | f(x) – L | < ε.

This is not an easy sentence to comprehend

immediately. How can student understand it?

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DEFINITION OF LIMITS

For every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that

0 < | x – c | < δ → | f(x) – L | < ε.

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DEFINITION OF LIMITS

For every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that

0 < | x – c | < δ → | f(x) – L | < ε.

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DEFINITION OF LIMITS

For every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that

0 < | x – c | < δ → | f(x) – L | < ε.

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True OR False?

▪ 0 < |x – 1| < 0.1 → |5x – 5| < 0.5.

▪ 0 < |x – 1| < 0.1 → |5x – 5| < 0.1.
▪ There exists a δ > 0 such that
0 < |x – 1| < δ → |5x – 5| < 0.1.
▪ There exists a δ > 0 such that
0 < |x – 1| < δ → |5x – 5| < 0.05.
▪ For every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that
0 < |x – 1| < δ → |5x – 5| < ε.
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DEFINITION OF LIMITS

For every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that

0 < | x – c | < δ → | f(x) – L | < ε.

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DEFINITION OF LIMITS

For every ε > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that

for every x Є R we have
0 < | x – c | < δ → | f(x) – L | < ε.

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In mathematics, students learn mathematical
sentences which in general contains quantifiers.

How are the exercises different from those at

high schools?

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An example of an exercise at
universities which is not asked
at high school

Using the Intermediate Value Theorem,

show that there is a real number x satisfying
the equation x2 = cos x.

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Intermediate Value Theorem

If f is continuous on [a, b], where f(a) and

f(b) have different signs, then there exists a
number c ϵ (a, b) such that f(c) = 0.

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Calculus is not merely calculation
but …
develop Mathematical Power!
▪ Reasoning
▪ Problem solving
▪ Making connection
▪ Communicating
▪ …

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 General Learning Outcomes
By learning Calculus, students are expected to develop:
1. Basic mathematical skills that are supported by
concepts, formulas, methods, and reasoning;
2. Crictical, logical, and systematic thinking skills, and
creativity in problem solving that are related to
mathematics, especially Calculus;
3. Abilities to read and use information independently
from various learning sources, in the form of
articles or videos, to solve relevant problems;
4. Ability to communicate ideas and results orally or
in writing.
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THE FOLLOWING EXERCISE IS NOT
MERELY CALCULATION

2
x sin(1 / x)
▪ Find lim .
x→0 tan( x)
▪ Examine whether the following series is
convergent or divergent.

3

n =1 2 + n n
.

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DON’T MISS THE FOLLOWING
EXERCISE
Prove that if |x| ≤ 1, then

x + 2x + 7
2
2
5+ x 2

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APPLICATIONS:
If a lamina with the
Find the shortest following shape is
ladder that connects hung using a rope, at
the ground to the which point x it should
wall. be tied so that it is
kept horizontal?
P

T x
d

If a tank of water is poured

with brine, stirred, and at
the same time the liquid is
flowing out of the tank,
Air
how much salt is contained garam
in the liquid after t hours?
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WHAT IS ALSO IMPORTANT AND
SHOULDN’T BE MISSED …

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REASONING, FROM THE BEGINNING

True OR False?

1. If x < 1, then x2 < 1.

2. If x2 <1, then x < 1.

What students know is

x2 < 1 if and only if -1 < x < 1.

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EXTREME POINTS AND
STATIONARY POINTS
Given a function f which is differentiable
at c. Which statement is true?

1. If f attains an extreme value at c, then

f’(c) = 0.
OR
2. If f’(c) = 0, then f attains an extreme
value at c.

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COMMUTING OPERATIONs
HERE AND THERE
We know that

▪ (x + y)2 ≠ x2 + y2

▪ sin(x + y) ≠ sin(x) + sin(y)

But…

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 COMMUTING OPERATIONs
HERE AND THERE
▪ lim [f(x) + g(x)] = lim f(x) + lim g(x)

▪ lim f(x).g(x) = lim f(x).lim g(x)

▪ (f + g)’(x) = f’(x) + g’(x)

but ▪ (f.g)’(x) ≠ f’(x).g’(x)

▪ (f o g)’(x) = f’(y).g’(x), dgn y = g(x)

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COMMUTING OPERATIONs
HERE AND THERE
A function f is continuous at c iff

lim f ( x) = f (c) = f (lim x).

x →c x →c

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COMMUTING OPERATIONs
HERE AND THERE
▪ log(x.y) = log(x) + log(y)

▪ exp(x + y) = exp(x).exp(y)

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Believe or Accept?

Many mathematical facts or theorems are

stated without proof.
Some are beyond scopes; but some others are
actually not to difficult to prove.
Exposure to proofs is important, in order that
students not only believe in mathematical facts
or theorems, but accept them.
Mathematical statements are not ‘holy verses’.

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Examples of Theorems that
Are Easy to Prove

▪ lim [f(x) + g(x)] = lim f(x) + lim g(x)

▪ If f is differentiable at c, then f is
continuous at c.

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A Few Teaching Strategies

▪ Traditional lecturing
▪ Group discussion
▪ Working in groups
▪ Watch Videos, followed by discussion
▪ Flip classroom

Note: If there is not special effort, students tend

to be passive.
Something to Ponder:

With abundant information that

can be accessed by students
(through Google, Wikipedia,
Youtube, and now Chatbots), what
reasons do students have to
attend the usual lectures?
THANK YOU.

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