Learners’ Difficulties and Types of Errors in Topic of Limit

Abstract

The problem of learning difficulties in calculus courses has become a hot topic in universities. Calculus is a compulsory course, which is not only studied by learners majoring in mathematics but also physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, etc. However, learner's achievement in this course are still very concerning. Many learners fail in this course. Considering this problem, this study attempts to investigate difficulties and errors made by learners in understanding and solving calculus problem, with a particular focus on research topics associated to limit. To this aim, observation and documentation were conducted to reveal the data. The subjects of this study were learners of biology and science study program. The subjects were selected through certain consideration, purposive sampling technique. The research results about learner's difficulties and errors made by learners are classified based on the steps of problem solving process, namely understanding the problem, planning a strategy, select a strategy, performing the strategy and verifying.

Investigation into Grade XI Students’ Misconception about the Limit Concept: A Case Study at Samtse Higher Secondary School in Bhutan

“…The study of calculus is one of the most fundamental topics in mathematics due to its widespread application in multidisciplinary fields. It is an essential tool employed in the pursuit of biological sciences, physical sciences, engineering and economics [1][2][3], within it, the concept of limit is considered fundamental to calculus [4,5,6]. The concept of limit is also important to define the concept of derivative, integral, and convergence or divergence [5].…”