Develops the formulas for the sum of the numbers from 1 to n and for the squares of the numbers from 1 to n geometrically by utilizing the formulas for the area of a triangle and the volume of a pyramid. (MDH)

A game based on the group of permutations on four symbols is described. The game can be used in the study of many algebraic concepts. (SD)

The action in a British sporting event (bumping races) was used to motivate a simple method of computing the correlation between starting and finishing positions. The method is generalized to other situations. (SD)

An approach to using the method of least squares, a scheme for computing the best-fitting line directly from a set of points, is detailed. The material first looks at fitting a numerical value to a set of numbers. This provides tools for solving the line-fitting problem. (MP)

The "word problem" is stated for a given collection. Facts regarding Dehn's Algorithm, definition of Thue systems, a rewriting system, lemmas and corollaries are provided. The situation is examined where the monoid presented by a finite Thue system is a group. (DC)

Using a staircase to introduce the concept of slope is discussed. (DT)

Presents a model for teaching reasoning using technology in the contexts of algebra and geometry. (MKR)

Finding the shortest route between two points can be approached by vector methods. Several types of matrices modelling a map of 6 cities are described. (SD)

This material shows how to use basic techniques, principles of counting, and geometry to count squares on geoboards. The methods are elementary in that the proofs are easily conceptualized. A discussion of other approaches illustrates that easily stated problems may lead to very difficult and sophisticated methods. (MP)

Materials designed to promote student investigation of factoring quadratic polynomials over the integers through using a physical model are presented. Pupils are expected to discover regularities that will permit them to factor such polynomials at the symbolic level. Worksheet masters designed for classroom use are provided. (MP)

Provides a brief synopsis of the development of the National Fire Danger Rating System along with an explanation of how it works and possible ways to use it in a modeling or problem-solving unit in a secondary mathematics classroom. (ASK)

This collection of activities is intended to enhance the teaching of college algebra through the use of modeling. The problems use real data and involve the representation and interpretation of the data. The concepts addressed include rates of change, linear and quadratic regression, and functions. The collection consists of eight problems, four…

Ideas are presented regarding: (1) unique learning activities for students who have difficulty with operations with signed numbers; (2) a mathematical inspection of a unique card trick that can be expressed as an equation; and (3) sketching of graphs of composite trigonometric functions. (MP)

Directions are given for making a model of a three-dimensional coordinate graph. (DT)

Discusses the use of scaling test scores for an algebra class. Provides example data, several equations used in scaling, and graphs. (YP)