Parts of the Whole: Teaching Quantitative Reasoning in an Exponential Decay Model

Abstract

The simple calculus example of exponential decay can be an excellent vehicle for teaching quantitative reasoning in calculus or differential equations. Insect maturation provides a rich context for thinking about the meaning of the rate constant for exponential decay, which is derived in the context of a system at equilibrium but is generally measured using a single cohort of individuals.

Keywords

• quantitative reasoning
• calculus
• differential equations
• math education
• exponential function