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==Description of bottleneck== | ==Description of bottleneck== | ||
In mathematics and in particual in the STEM disciplines one often does not symbolically distinguish the name of a function and its dependent variable. | In mathematics and in particual in the STEM disciplines one often does not symbolically distinguish the name of a function and its dependent variable. | ||
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For example, the time dependence (independent variable, symbolized by <math>t</math>) of an electrical charge <math>q</math> (dependent variable, symbolized by <math>q</math>) might be described by a certain function <math>f(t)</math>, ''i.e.'' <math>q = f(t)</math>. Here different symbols have been used for the dependent variable <math>q</math> and the functional relationship <math>f</math> (between <math>t</math> and <nowiki></q></nowiki>). It is, however, customary to conflate this and to use <math> q</math> to do denote both dependent variable and functional relationship. This results in the using the experession <math>q(t)</math>. | For example, the time dependence (independent variable, symbolized by <math>t</math>) of an electrical charge <math>q</math> (dependent variable, symbolized by <math>q</math>) might be described by a certain function <math>f(t)</math>, ''i.e.'' <math>q = f(t)</math>. Here different symbols have been used for the dependent variable <math>q</math> and the functional relationship <math>f</math> (between <math>t</math> and <nowiki></q></nowiki>). It is, however, customary to conflate this and to use <math> q</math> to do denote both dependent variable and functional relationship. This results in the using the experession <math>q(t)</math>. | ||
Interestingly this possible [[Bottleneck]] was revealed during an [[Decoding interview]] on students' difficulties with describing piecewise defined functions. The interviewers got confused by | Interestingly this possible [[Bottleneck]] was revealed during an [[Decoding interview]] on students' difficulties with describing piecewise defined functions. The interviewers got confused by interviewee's simultaneous usage of a symbol as the independent variable of a function and as the name of the functional relation. | ||
==People interested in this bottleneck== | ==People interested in this bottleneck== | ||
Peter Riegler | Peter Riegler | ||
[[Category:Bottleneck]] | [[Category:Bottleneck]] | ||
[[Category:Mathematics]] | |||
Latest revision as of 18:55, 21 November 2025
Description of bottleneck
In mathematics and in particual in the STEM disciplines one often does not symbolically distinguish the name of a function and its dependent variable.
For example, the time dependence (independent variable, symbolized by <math>t</math>) of an electrical charge <math>q</math> (dependent variable, symbolized by <math>q</math>) might be described by a certain function <math>f(t)</math>, i.e. <math>q = f(t)</math>. Here different symbols have been used for the dependent variable <math>q</math> and the functional relationship <math>f</math> (between <math>t</math> and </q>). It is, however, customary to conflate this and to use <math> q</math> to do denote both dependent variable and functional relationship. This results in the using the experession <math>q(t)</math>.
Interestingly this possible Bottleneck was revealed during an Decoding interview on students' difficulties with describing piecewise defined functions. The interviewers got confused by interviewee's simultaneous usage of a symbol as the independent variable of a function and as the name of the functional relation.
People interested in this bottleneck
Peter Riegler
