Rice University
Math 112
Spring, 1999

Dr. Anne Papakonstantinou

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Read one of the three selections from Readings For Calculus, Underwood Dudley, Editor, MAA Notes Volume 13 (1993):

Mathematical Objectives – Why study mathematics?
Ecclesiastes – Why study anything?
Mathematics as a Social Filter – One answer to why calculus is studied, namely to exclude those who fail from other things.

Write a paper about the article that you read. Include in the paper the answer to one of the questions that appears at the end of the article. In the case of Ecclesiastes, answer the question "Why study anything?" including personal experiences on the question.

Please type or neatly write the assignment using complete sentences.

The assignment is due no later than the beginning of class, April 30, and is worth 20 points.

Click here to go to Writing Assignment 1