The goal of this paper is to promote computational thinking among mathematics, engineering, science and technology students, through hands-on computer experiments. These activities have the potential to empower students to learn, create and invent with technology, and they engage computational thinking through simulations, visualizations and data…

This paper is an elementary introduction to particle diffusion in a medium where the coefficient of diffusion varies with position. The introduction is aimed at third-year university courses. We start from a simple model of particles hopping on a discrete lattice, in one or more dimensions, and then take the continuous-space limit so as to obtain…

The quantitative results of Sources of Self-Efficacy in Science Courses-Physics (SOSESC-P) are presented as a logistic regression predicting the passing of students in introductory Physics with Calculus I, overall as well as disaggregated by gender. Self-efficacy as a theory to explain human behavior change [Bandura [1977] "Psychological…

This paper describes details of development of the general birth and death process from which we can extract the Poisson process as a special case. This general process is appropriate for a number of courses and units in courses and can enrich the study of mathematics for students as it touches and uses a diverse set of mathematical topics, e.g.,…

Examples are given of problems which can be solved pictorially, thus aiding in the general development of geometric intuition and in developing some of the basic ideas of probability. (MP)

Four problems in which elementary mathematics can be used in constructing models are described. (SD)

The history of the journal "Esercitazioni Matematiche" (1921-43) edited by the "Circolo Matematico di Catania" for university students is described. A selection of proposed problems with some of their solutions is reported. (Author)

This is the instructor's guide to a text designed for the contemporary business student who frequently questions the need for studying mathematics. The text material is presented in a "building-block" fashion, with skills learned in earlier chapters organized to provide a smooth transition into more difficult topics. This guide consists…

College teachers attending an NSF-sponsored summer workshop (1974) produced a series of films showing computer displays of mathematical problems and phenomena. These instructional materials are organized into four units: (1) functions and graphs; (2) analysis; (3) probability, statistics, and simulation; and (4) mathematical models. They are keyed…

Discusses the application of probabilistic ideas, especially Monte Carlo simulation, to calculus. Describes some applications using the Monte Carlo method: Riemann sums; maximizing and minimizing a function; mean value theorems; and testing conjectures. (YP)

Explored are the distributions of residual components in two model systems. A system of components with exponentially distributed lifetimes and the two-dimensional "leaf model" in which objects fall on a plane with positions independent and normally distributed are discussed. Included are the definition, application, computations, and theorem. (KR)

Presented is an example of a question that can be used to investigate probability and random triangles. Included is the question, analysis, and procedure for solving the question. (KR)

Presents one model for a liberal arts mathematics course that combines probability and calculus. Describes activities utilized in the course to heighten students' interest and encourage student involvement. Activities include use of visualization, take-home tests, group problem solving, research papers, and computer usage with DERIVE computer…

Contains an update of an earlier listing of software for mathematics instruction at the college level. Topics are: advanced mathematics, algebra, calculus, differential equations, discrete mathematics, equation solving, general mathematics, geometry, linear and matrix algebra, logic, statistics and probability, and trigonometry. (PK)

This document consists of three modules. The first looks at applications of analysis to medical radiology. The goals are to provide: 1) acquaintance with a significant applied mathematics problem utilizing Fourier Transforms; 2) generalization of the Fourier Transforms to two dimensions; 3) practice with Fourier Transforms; and 4) introduction to…