Intra-Mathematics and Extra-Mathematics Connections that Occur When Solving Calculus Problems in a Context: a Case Study in Higher Level Education

Abstract

This paper reported a research which aims to identify connections that a university student group established to solve problems in a context. These problems can be solved using the relationship between the derivative and integral established in the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. To identify such connections, we adopted the theoretical framework proposed by Businskas (2008). As a research method, we used the case study and applied a questionnaire which included five problems, the solutions of which we obtained the data. The data indicate that students establish extra-mathematics and intra-mathematics connections when they solve problems in a context, but mainly used the procedural type and the different representations. We also noticed a strong connection with their prior knowledge learned in previous levels of education rather than at the university level.

Keywords:
Mathematical Connections; Case Study; Fundamental Theorem of Calculus; University Level Education