Back to classics: teaching limits through infinitesimals

DOI10.1080/00207390118062MaRDI QIDQ3150418zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Todor D. Todorov

Publication date 17 October 2002

Published in International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1108.4657

zbMATH Keywords

infinitesimalslimit of a function

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to real functions (26-01) Nonstandard models in mathematics (03H05) Nonstandard analysis (26E35)

Abstract: The usual $epsilon,delta$-definition of the limit of a function (whether presented at a rigorous or an intuitive level) requires a "candidate $L$" for the limit value. Thus, we have to start our first calculus course with "guessing" instead of "calculating". In this paper we criticize the method of using calculators for the purpose of selecting candidates for $L$. We suggest an alternative: a working formula for calculating the limit value L of a real function in terms of infinitesimals. Our formula, if considered as a definition of limit, is equivalent to the usual $epsilon,delta$-definition but does not involve a candidate $L$ for the limit value. As a result, the Calculus becomes to "calculate" again as it was originally designed to do.

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Cites work

• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3508797 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3520681 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1234416 (Why is no real title available?)
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• Non-standard analysis

Cited in

(11)

• Understanding of the epsilon-delta method for middle pre-service teachers regarding the continuity of function
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 7568196 (Why is no real title available?)
• Is a definition always useful to calculate something?
• Limits, continuity, and bow ties: rigour without ? or ?
• An elementary, limit-free calculus for polynomials
• A topological definition of limit for use in elementary calculus
• Introduction to the difference calculus through the Fibonacci numbers
• Calculus limits unified and simplified
• Abstract difficulty analysis and the teaching method of the concept of limit
• On the dynamic definition of limit
• Infinitesimal approach to the proof of inverse function theorem

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