Teachers are often asked to nominate students for enrichment programs for gifted children, and studies have repeatedly indicated that students' intelligence is related to their likelihood of being nominated as gifted. However, it is unknown whether class-average levels of intelligence influence teachers' nominations as suggested by theory--and…

Inspired by the research of Reading and Shaughnessy (2004), we modified an existing lesson from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This lesson, a variation on the "Gumball Task", gives students the opportunity to explore and discuss the variation which occurs in sampling. This paper describes our experience using this lesson as an…

Presents a brief historical sketch of the life and work of one of the founders of modern mathematical physics. Discusses three problem-solving applications of the Poisson distribution with examples from elementary probability theory. Provides background on two of his noteworthy results from the physics of oscillations and the deformation of rigid…

The decision to draw another card or stand pat in blackjack can be made by computing two simple probabilities. (MP)

After studying a unit on probability students "put it all together" by analyzing outcomes of real and computer-simulated games of craps. FORTRAN and APL programs for generation of the games are provided in this article. (SD)

Three computer programs are listed for finding binomial probabilities. Other applications and variations are discussed. (MNS)

Discusses the mathematics of weighted voting schemes, including representative government. Shows how power is a decreasing function of population size and how tiny parties can have the same power as large constituencies. (MKR)

This book is a guide to the development of mathematical talent in students in grades K through 8. The first chapter is on developing mathematical promise and considers characteristics of students who are mathematically promising, the goals of mathematics instruction, how to find and/or create good problems, models for increasing the numbers and…

Explores applications of the Fibonacci series in the areas of probability, geometry, measurement, architecture, matrix algebra, and nature. (MDH)

Five sets of activities for students are included in this document. Each is designed for use in junior high and secondary school mathematics instruction. The first is concerned with the use of models in mathematics. The second contains a variety of activities involving polygonal numbers. The third set of activities includes a variety of games for…

The on-off settings of a series of eight switches determines the code to open garage doors. Presented are two problems asking the probability that two people would have the same garage door opener code or whether a specific person would have the same code as another person in the neighborhood. (MDH)

Five sets of activities for students are included in this document. Each is designed for use in junior high and secondary school mathematics instruction. The first "Note" concerns magic squares in which the numbers in every row, column, and diagonal add up to the same sum. An etching by Albrecht Durer is presented, with four questions followed by…

Presented is the solution to the problem of calculating the probability of winning or losing a game played by moving a counter from the center of a hexagonal grid according to the number shown after the toss of a die. The exercise is an example of an interesting mathematical investigation. (MDH)

Presents mathematical models to determine whether seven-game baseball playoff series are significantly fairer than five-game series. Compares the results obtained from the models to actual playoff results. (MDH)