An elementary, limit-free calculus for polynomials

Abstract

This work grew out of a simple problem: how could I introduce the basic concepts of calculus to students who were mathematically under-prepared? It has been pointed out by many authors (see [1] and its references) that limits are a major stumbling block for many students beginning their study of calculus. Part of the difficulty with limits is the conceptual confusion between process and value. Some limits can be evaluated by a simple process of substitution, for example,while others cannot, for example,