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Deltas and Epsilons
Posted:
Jun 10, 1997 4:25 PM
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In a message dated 97-06-10 11:29:59 EDT, Lou Talman wrote, in a very
different context
<< But the students I have to teach at my
institution would be completely overwhelmed by the epsilon-delta definition.
>>
As are students everywhere. My question is are they overwhelmed by the
concept in general or are they overwhelmed by the complicated and trickey and
often obscure algebraic manipulation required to find the proper
delta-epsilon relationship for all but the simplest limits? (Same question
applies to Proofs by Induction.) I have found that they spend so much time
doing the algebra that, once they get a correct relationship (that's part of
the problem, there is no "the" correct relationship), that the have lost
sight of the big picture?
What do you think?
Lin McMullin
Ballston Spa, NY
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