A classic TV commercial once asked, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?" The narrator claims, "The world may never know" (Tootsie Roll 2012), but an Internet search returns a multitude of answers, some of which include rigorous systematic approaches by academics to address the…

Most students love to play games. Ernest (1986) believed that games could be used to teach mathematics effectively in four areas: motivation, concept development, reinforcement of skills, and practice of problem-solving strategies. Fifteen is an interesting and thought-provoking game that helps students learn mathematics at the same time. Playing…

For over a decade, research studies of mathematics education in high-performing countries have pointed to the conclusion that the mathematics curriculum in the United States must become substantially more focused and coherent in order to improve mathematics achievement in this country. To deliver on the promise of common standards, the standards…

Presents an activity in which students investigate geometric probability at a school fair. (YDS)

The teacher's guide for the sixth unit of this SMSG series covers the two chapters on probability and on measurement. The overall purpose for each of the chapters is described, the prerequisite knowledge needed by students is specified, the mathematical development of each chapter is detailed, behavioral objectives are stated, and a time schedule…

Topics covered in the probability chapter of the sixth unit in this SMSG series of student texts are fair and unfair games, outcomes and events, tree diagrams, and finding and estimating probability. The measurement chapter includes a discussion of length, units in the British and metric systems, perimeter, angle measure, circumference,…

Characteristics of the number seven, which relate to many different areas of mathematics, are discussed. (JT)

This booklet contains suggestions for developing six of the twenty topics recommended for students in Secondary Forms III and IV in the schools of Victoria, Australia. These suggestions are intended for students for whom the standard course is unsuitable because of subject time allotments, ability levels, or vocational or educational needs. The…

Presents theorems about lines and lattice points, and relates these to combinatorial analysis. (RS)

Using license plates to generate random number pairs, students can calculate an approximate value for pi. The author views this approach as easier to understand than Buffon's needle. (SD)

The conference centered on three main threads: (1) learning and the choice of materials; (2) the return to arithmetic; (3) topics (applications, geometry, probability, computers). Capsule summaries of the papers read and the ensuing discussions are presented. (JP)

Mathematics in nature and in the technological world is discussed. Outdoor activities with mathematical content are listed. (JP)

The method for geometric transforms (probability generating functions) is used to study the expected number of observations until the pattern 123123 . . . 123 is obtained. These results provide a first generalization of similar problems considered by other authors. (Contains 1 figure.)

This sixth unit in the SMSG junior high mathematics series is a student text covering the following topics: permutations and selections; probability; similar triangles and variation; non-metric geometry; volumes and surface areas; the sphere; and unsolved problems in mathematics. (DT)