Commentary on Rethinking Rigor in Calculus: The Role of the Mean Value Theorem (Q3130168)

The author takes issue with several of the positions taken by \textit{Thomas W. Tucker} in the article reviewed above. He questions the wisdom of using automotive (``speedometer'') ``proofs'' and in effect treating the increasing function theorem as an axiom when ``\dots the essential first foundational question for calculus is `What is it that a speedometer is supposed to report?' Intuition falters here, for nature has yet to provide us with a speedometer.'' It is argued that learning to understand and appreciate proofs is a gradual process and should not be abandoned in a beginning multisemester calculus course. A pictorial ``proof'' of the mean value theorem (MVT) is given to challenge Tucker's statement that there is nothing obvious about the MVT without the hypothesis of continuity of the derivative. On the other hand, Tucker's argument for an error bound for the Taylor polynomial is described as elegant and is whole-heartedly endorsed. The two articles together provide a useful contribution to the current debate and discussion on the teaching of calculus.