Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with Spreadsheets

Polynomial functions and their properties are fundamental to algebra, calculus, and mathematical modeling. Students who do not have a strong understanding of the relationship between factoring and solving equations can have difficulty with optimization problems in calculus and solving application pr...

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Main Authors: Chris Petersdinh, Jonah Beaumont
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: McMaster University 2017-01-01
Series:Spreadsheets in Education
Online Access:https://sie.scholasticahq.com/article/4664-empowering-polynomial-theory-conjectures-with-spreadsheets
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author Chris Petersdinh
Jonah Beaumont
author_facet Chris Petersdinh
Jonah Beaumont
author_sort Chris Petersdinh
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description Polynomial functions and their properties are fundamental to algebra, calculus, and mathematical modeling. Students who do not have a strong understanding of the relationship between factoring and solving equations can have difficulty with optimization problems in calculus and solving application problems in any field. Understanding function transformations is important in trigonometry, the idea of the general antiderivative, and describing the geometry of a problem mathematically. This paper presents spreadsheet activities designed to bolster students' conceptualization of the factorization theorem for polynomials, complex zeros of polynomials, and function transformations. These activities were designed to use a constructivist approach involving student experimentation and conjectures.
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spelling doaj.art-1f2fffd5133d4f2590261bbf1bf6caef2024-09-12T22:52:28ZengMcMaster UniversitySpreadsheets in Education1448-61562017-01-01101Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with SpreadsheetsChris PetersdinhJonah BeaumontPolynomial functions and their properties are fundamental to algebra, calculus, and mathematical modeling. Students who do not have a strong understanding of the relationship between factoring and solving equations can have difficulty with optimization problems in calculus and solving application problems in any field. Understanding function transformations is important in trigonometry, the idea of the general antiderivative, and describing the geometry of a problem mathematically. This paper presents spreadsheet activities designed to bolster students' conceptualization of the factorization theorem for polynomials, complex zeros of polynomials, and function transformations. These activities were designed to use a constructivist approach involving student experimentation and conjectures.https://sie.scholasticahq.com/article/4664-empowering-polynomial-theory-conjectures-with-spreadsheets
spellingShingle Chris Petersdinh
Jonah Beaumont
Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets in Education
title Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with Spreadsheets
title_full Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with Spreadsheets
title_fullStr Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with Spreadsheets
title_full_unstemmed Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with Spreadsheets
title_short Empowering Polynomial Theory Conjectures with Spreadsheets
title_sort empowering polynomial theory conjectures with spreadsheets
url https://sie.scholasticahq.com/article/4664-empowering-polynomial-theory-conjectures-with-spreadsheets
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