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Resistors

Keywords: Multivariable Calculus, Voltage, Resistance, Current, Rate of change

mvresistors.jpg

Highlights of the activity

  1. This small group activity is designed to provide practice with the multivariable chain rule.
  2. Students work in small groups to determine a particular rate of change using given information involving other rates of change.
  3. The whole class wrap-up discussion emphasizes the equivalence of a variety of approaches, including the use of differentials.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

  • Good “review” problem to help students make the transition from single- to multivariable derivatives.
  • Encourages students to utilize infinitesimal reasoning using differentials.
  • Also makes good homework problem.

Reflections

Instructor's Guide

Student Handouts

mvresistorshand.pdf


Authors: Tevian Dray
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