An interesting class of purely pandiagonal, i.e. non-magic, whole number (integer) squares of orders (row/column dimension) of the powers of two which are related to Gray codes and square Karnaugh maps has been identified. Treated as matrices these squares possess just two non-zero eigenvalues. The construction of these squares has been automated…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has completed its second mathematical assessment. This article focuses on the results from the second assessment of 9 year olds and 13 year olds; major results of the content areas are summarized and examples of the data are given to support the conclusions. (Author/MK) Aspect of National…

The educational background of students termed "limited English proficient" (LEP) is discussed, with consideration of how that background might affect the LEP student's learning of arithmetic. Reasons why knowledge of background is important are first noted. Then examples of different ways to read and write numerals and differing subtraction and…

This study investigates the use of infinities and limits during the first 12 years of schooling while a secondary study presents ideas and comments on the observations that were made during the primary study. (MVL)

Reviews and analyzes the number-line metaphor in textbooks. Presents examples to show a way to produce an internal critique of mathematical textbooks, a critique that targets the practices in which the notions are involved within the text. Presents the number-line metaphor as the horizon and the tiller of all the enlargements of the notion of…

This paper presents an overview of the Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) elementary school mathematics curriculum. The philosophy behind the program, content goals, and teaching strategies are briefly discussed. Then ways in which the program develops facility in mathematics are described in discussions of the language of arrows, in…

Children's solutions to simple word problems requiring addition or subtraction skills develop through four stages: (1) modeling with objects; (2) utilization of both modeling and counting strategies; (3) reliance on counting strategies; and (4) reliance on number facts. The current primary mathematics curriculum fails to capitilize on rich…

Explores the mathematical abilities of human infants compared with various species of animals. Studies indicate that human infants enter the world capable of doing simple mathematical operations. Nonhuman animals can discriminate among sets of objects based on the number of items in each set. Further studies may pinpoint the age at which children…

Many elementary and junior high school students do not become proficient with common and decimal fractions because they have established few connections between the form they learn in the classroom and understandings they already have. (Author/GC)

Urges that the search for origins of European exploration extend to Africa and East Asia and their international trade. Cites contributions of India and the Arabs, Chinese, and Malaysians. Emphasizes the importance of mathematics, navigation, and sailing technology. Argues that without these contributions the European voyages would not have been…

Proposes a framework that identifies the components of number sense and the attributes of students who possess it. Discusses various aspects of three areas where number sense plays a key role: number concepts, operations with numbers, and applications of number and operation. (MDH)

This booklet is designed to provide information on the Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP) elementary school mathematics curriculum. It attempts to capture the excitement of a workshop experience as well as convey a wealth of substantive information. Paralleling the format of a typical workshop, it presents in a descriptive format a…

Using data collected in 1977-78, the Evaluation System has computed fall and spring mathematics scores on the Prescriptive Mathematics Test (PMT) for classes of students in grades one through six. In addition, relationships of performance on the PMT to class size, attendance, percent of males in the class, number of different test levels used in a…

The purpose of this paper is to identify how the theory and techniques of research in cognitive development can be applied to the study of learning and instruction in mathematics. Five basic research paradigms are characterized; major directions of research on number, measurement, geometry, and adolescent reasoning are identified. Most of the…

Nomadism is a worldwide phenomenon and its practitioners fall into three categories: (1) hunter/food gatherers, such as the Hadzabe in the United Republic of Tanzania; (2) itinerant workers, including the gypsies in North America; and (3) pastoralists, such as the Masai and Shuaw Arabs in Africa, the Sami in Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and the…