Title: Solids by revolution: materialising an idea

Authors: Annunziata Cascone, Gerardo Durazzo, Valentina Stile

Addresses: Department of Information Engineering and Applied Mathematics, University of Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, 4084 Fisciano (SA), Italy. ' Department of Information Engineering and Applied Mathematics, University of Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, 4084 Fisciano (SA), Italy. ' Department of Information Engineering and Applied Mathematics, University of Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, 4084 Fisciano (SA), Italy

Abstract: In this paper, we describe an approach for an effective integration of Computer Algebra Systems (CASs) in an analysis course. In our mathematics courses at University of Salerno, we have noted that students often show a lack of conceptual understanding. To improve their ability in making some geometric concepts concrete, we developed a Mathematica package that is able to realise and visualise the result of a plane domain revolution in a three dimensional space. This package, using the symbolic power of the numerical software Mathematica, is able to generate pictures and computations for an assigned case study.

Keywords: computer algebra; active learning; 3D visualisation; numerical analysis; mathematics education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2008.020651

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2008 Vol.4 No.2/3, pp.140 - 151

Published online: 08 Oct 2008 *

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