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…

Conventional application of these two calculus staples is stretched here, somewhat recreationally, but also to raise solid questions about the role of limit interchange in analysis--without, however, delving any deeper than first-year Calculus.

In this article, we examine the use of a new binary integer programming (BIP) model to detect arbitrage opportunities in currency exchanges. This model showcases an excellent application of mathematics to the real world. The concepts involved are easily accessible to undergraduate students with basic knowledge in Operations Research. Through this…

European cooperation is a relevant subject that contributes to building a competitive network of high education institutions. A case of teacher mobility on behalf of the Erasmus programme is presented: it considers some Operations Research topics and the development of the Lego on My Decision module. The module considers eight lecture hours in…

Quality encompasses a very broad range of ideas in learning materials, yet the accuracy of the content is often overlooked as a measure of quality. Various aspects of accuracy are briefly considered, and the issue of computational accuracy is then considered further. When learning materials are produced containing the results of mathematical…

The calculator is used to determine the formula for computing annual yield from a savings account. (MP)

Although breathing is a universal activity among physicists (and others), few have bothered to estimate the number of molecules inhaled in a single average breath. Some simple calculations and comparisons related to this phenomenon are provided to improve students' appreciation of the awesome numbers related to Avogadro's number. (JN)

The calculator is used to solve certain formidable equations, which arise naturally and which may be difficult or impossible to solve by standard methods, by a method of successive approximations. (MP)

Demonstrates the logical relationship between percentage composition and an empirical formula using a technique that depends on determining a minimum molar mass for the compound based on the mass percent of each element. (DDR)

A question as to the number of stitches needed for a particular triangular crocheted scarf gives rise to the use of several methods of solution including arithmetic series. (MN)

Proposes a method for solving a diffusion equation by a random-walk approximation technique which utilizes the complex intergration method of steepest descent. (SL)

We focus on a major difficulty in solving combinatorial problems, namely, on the verification of a solution. Our study aimed at identifying undergraduate students' tendencies to verify their solutions, and the verification strategies that they employ when solving these problems. In addition, an attempt was made to evaluate the level of efficiency…

The concept of percentile is a fundamental part of every course in basic statistics. Many such courses are now taught to students and require them to have TI-82 or TI-83 calculators. The functions defined in these calculators enable students to easily find the percentiles of a discrete data set. (PVD)

Geometric and algebraic solutions to problems involving reflections of balls on a pool table are presented. The question of whether the ball must eventually enter a pocket is explored. A determination of the number of reflections is discussed. (CW)

Examples are presented of the use of the direct product in chemical group theory. (BB)