OPEN PROBLEMS IN MATHEMATICAL MODELLING AND PHYSICAL EXPERIMENTS. EXPLORING EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION

Generally speaking the exponential function has large applications and it is used by many non physicians and non mathematicians, too. Nevertheless some crucial and practical problems happen for its mathematical understanding. Mostly, this part of mathematical cognitive programmes introduce it from the mathematical strictly point of view. On the contrary, since both physics experiments make a vast use of it, in this paper the exponential function will be explained starting from physical experiments and only later a mathematical modelling of it will be organized. The relationship physics-mathematics-geometry is crucial and indispensable in this kind of integrated and history&science education. The history and epistemology of mathematics and physics can be a significant means to make the epistemological and didactical research more profound and clear.