Investigating the difficulties of first year mainstream mathematics students at the University of the Western Cape with “related rates” problems
The aim of the thesis is to research the difficulties that first year mainstream mathematics students at UWC experience when solving Related Rates problems in calculus. In chapter 2, an in-depth study was made of the nature of Related Rates problems by studying a number of examples. The findings of this study are summarized in section 2.12. The study adopted the same model of the solution of all types of Related Rates that was used by Martin (2000) for the solution of geometric Related Rates problems. In chapter 3 of this thesis, many examples were used to illustrate how the seven step solution procedure of the Standard Solution model is applied. In the literature review in chapter 4, the underlying concepts which underpin Related Rates problems are identified and specific examples of research on each of these concepts are given. For example, the review of the literature on word problems is done comprehensively and covers extensively the range of issues involved in this topic. Drawing on the work in chapter 2 on the nature of Related Rates problems, it is explained in chapter 5 why this study is underpinned by Constructivism as a theoretical basis. Chapter 6 of the thesis is devoted to answering the 3 research questions posed in chapter 1. The thesis contains many worked examples of Related Rates problems which can be used by the lecturers assigned to the MAT105 course.
Mathematics students, Calculus--Textbooks, Calculus, MAT105 course
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