Discussed are the difficulties that entering college freshmen seem to have with mathematics, particularly with fractional forms. A success-oriented program is suggested in which all students are successful. To obtain this goal, a number of alternative routes are discussed such as presenting decimals before fractional forms and the use of the…

The role of common fractions in mathematics education and in applications is discussed in light of the increased importance of calculators and the metric system. (MP)

A straight forward process for working in fractions on any calculator is presented. The method involves converting a decimal back into a fraction in its lowest terms. (MN)

An algorithm is provided for generating as many desired digits in the decimal representation of a rational number on a calculator. It may be used whenever the number of digits displayed on the calculator exceeds the number of digits in the denominator. (JT)

This discussion of cyclic patterns that appear in repeating decimals includes the use of the calculator in discovering the patterns. (MP)

The relative effectiveness of three methods of teaching fraction computation in the context of the community college was investigated. The use of calculators was a special focus of the study. The three methods were: (1) conventional algorithms with no calculator, (2) conventional algorithms with calculator, and (3) alternative algorithms using…

An account is given of the use of the calculator and Cuisenaire rods in examining decimals that result from the division of whole numbers. (MP)

This document was initiated with the collection of 150 questions in telephone interviews of a national sampling of junior high school and high school teachers. A Mathematics Consultant Panel reviewed the questions, and selected topics were developed, for which there were research bases for answers. The material covers: (1) Effective Mathematics…