Models of population growth: Teaching-learning from recursive equations

Abstract

This article presents the results obtained through a methodological strategy that involves the notion of population growth, restricted growth and recursive equations, in the development of a differential calculus course for the training of forestry engineers. An action-research approach is implemented, which allows to compare results between two groups; experimental and control, with which the proposal is validated. This way of working the notions in the groups allowed to identify flaws in the different types of representation used in some mathematical objects such as function, succession and limit. Likewise, the final contrast shows that the use of engineering contexts strengthens the learning of differential calculus.