PROCEEDINGS OF THE 17TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2014
Denver, Colorado
Students’ Understanding Of Exponential Functions In The Context Of Financial Mathematics
Page: 1031
Exponential functions are one of the most critical mathematical topics used by students in financial mathematics. This presentation explores university finance students’ notion of exponential function from two sets of data. First, I use data collected through surveys to examine students’ understanding of exponential function in general and, more specifically, to identify the extent to which students conflate exponential functions with polynomials. I then draw on data collected in an inquiry-based instructional sequence aimed at improving financial mathematics students’ understanding of exponential functions. Results include delineation of what ways of understanding exponential functions are critical to studying financial mathematics and insights into how best to guide students in developing these understandings within the context of their field of study.