RUME 26
2024
Omaha, Nebraska
Conceptualizing and Representing the Cartesian Connection in Calculus
Page: 1408
Calculus concepts require students to express and interpret distances in the Cartesian plane. Yet previous research shows that many students are not easily able to do so. To effectively represent distances, students must be able to understand and apply the Cartesian connection. The Cartesian connection is understanding that a point is on graph A if and only if its coordinates (x, y) satisfy the equation of A. Students should also be able to flexibly move between algebraic and graphical concepts to represent distances both in terms of x and y to determine if points lie on a line. We are interested in why some students may not display this flexibility and what underlying issues are preventing students from making the Cartesian Connection.