Back to results

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

What Kind of Math Matters? A Study of the Relationship Between Mathematical Ability and Success in Physics

Abstract

dc:description

I will present data that show that the difficulties associated with symbolic physics questions are the most pronounced for the students most likely to fail physics. Further, a math diagnostic exam we have created indicates that word problems that stress mathematical representation are better predictors of success than algorithmic manipulation questions.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Physics
Grantor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Year dc:date
2015

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Torigoe, Eugene
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Beck, Douglas H.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Identifier
(MiAaPQ)AAI3314916
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80573

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Base URL
www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Torigoe, Eugene. What Kind of Math Matters? A Study of the Relationship Between Mathematical Ability and Success in Physics. Dissertation thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2142/80573