Abstract:

The concept of function and its local properties are basic notions in Differential Calculus within the subject of Mathematics in Upper Secondary Education. At the same time, they are some of the most difficult contents to learn for those students who have chosen the branch of Social Sciences since they involve complex aspects such as symbolism, graphic representation and their applications. Our work aims to apply an interdisciplinary methodology in the process of teaching and learning of these concepts, and accordingly, we propose a teaching unit that interrelates the curricula in the subjects of Economics and Mathematics. The objective is for our students to overcome the difficulties of learning the concept of function and its local properties (maximum and minimun values) by providing these with specific meaning through economic concepts as, for instance, profit maximization, marginal revenue or marginal cost.

Keywords:

Differential Calculus, Economics, Functions, Upper Secondary Education, Interdisciplinary Approach.