Presentation of integrals in introductory physics textbooks

Abstract

Setting up an integral based on a given physical system can be a significant barrier to success for students (Cui et. al. 2006). Prior research has shown that the way students think about integration (e.g. area under the curve, the antiderivative, or adding up pieces) before they start a problem has an effect on their success when they’re constructing the necessary integrals (Jones 2015a). We examined five introductory physics textbooks, documented each example of an integral, and coded them into four categories. Area under the curve is the understanding fostered by calculus courses, but it is the least productive and one of the least utilized by physics textbooks.