Background: Problem-solving as a vehicle to develop independent thinking skills is mostly underestimated and is often either overlooked or not given adequate attention within the existing South African mathematics curriculum. Consequently, numerous learners often display limited skills or lack skills to adequately crack Mathematics problems by…

The majority of research on mathematics practice in everyday situations within cultures has investigated the use of arithmetic and geometry concepts and processes. To extend this research to a situation using measurement ideas, this paper investigates the mathematics practice of a group of carpet layers in an effort to detail how ordinary people…

The approximate nature of measurement is stressed, with examples given of elementary school mathematics problems which confuse reality with its mathematical model. Examples relating measurement to mathematical structure are given. (DT)

Several examples of problems involving measurement that occur in the life of a contractor are presented, along with solutions. Several sample measuring activities for students are included, with comments. (MNS)

Definitions of estimating and approximating are given and areas where these skills are used (such as practical situations, problem solving, and measurement) are discussed. Nine activities which range from second to twelfth-grade level are suggested. (MK)

The relations between a cultural fund of general knowledge and knowledge-in-use were investigated by observing the arithmetical practices of ten women enrolled in the Weight Watchers program. Apparently, the precision of dieters' measurements is dependent on situation and everyday context. Often, subjects' knowledge-in-use exceeded the general…

The problems of determining the rectangle having maximal area given a constant perimeter, given a constant total for three sides, and given a constant total for the perimeter plus a perpendicular bisector of a side are all discussed. (DT)

Describes the use of mathematics skills in daily life using a home renovation business as an example. (YDS)

A unit on problems involving large numbers can begin with calculating the amounts of ingredients needed to produce several thousand hamburgers. Other sources of computational problems are described. (SD)

Activities used with seventh and eighth grade students in Western Australia are described. The instructor guides pupils towards experimental solutions and encourages discovery of solutions for similar and more general problems. Investigations include study and construction of polygons, polyhedra, and one and two-sided surfaces. Commercial kits are…

Describes the process of mathematical modeling, an extensive teacher's guide, and a student modeling activity to improve the efficiency of soft-drink packaging. (KHR)

A discussion of the reasons for the new design of international standard typing paper (AY) with dimensions of 210 mm by 297 mm leads to a discussion of the ratio of the sides and geometric concepts involving similar rectangles. (MP)

Presents weekly activities that focus on various forms of transportation in the world. Students investigate transportation through data collection, geometry, and measurement. (KHR)

Freudenthal was the founder of realistic mathematics education, in which reality serves as a source of applications and learning. Takes a newspaper article about reproducing a Van Gogh painting using plants in a field to exemplify a rich context problem containing elements of all areas of elementary school mathematics. (MDH)

In an attempt to prepare students for units analysis in the solution of problems in high school chemistry and physics, the author developed learning packets on the factor label method. Thirty-three students used these packets individually during a regular tenth-grade geometry class. There were two packets, each to be used for two days. Prior to…