Presents a mathematics problem involving speed of a walking student versus speed of light reflection in a high school hallway. (MKR)

Concludes that writing about the executive processes of problem solving, difficulties encountered, alternative strategies that might have been used, and the problem solving process in general helped students in the treatment group learn to use executive processes more quickly and more effectively than students in the control group. (Author/NB)

What initially appears to be a standard maximum-minimum problem presents, with a particular independent variable, a wealth of calculus and algebraic subplots. Uses graphing calculator technology to reinforce the "pencil and paper" solution and open the problem to lower level mathematics courses. (Author/NB)

Shares a series of problems designed to provide students with opportunities to develop an understanding of applications of the definite integral. Discourages Template solutions, solutions in which students mimic a rehearsed strategy without understanding as the variety of problems helps prevent the construction of a template. (Author/ASK)

In a previous article in this series, it was suggested that it is part of our responsibility as teachers to attempt to induce "perturbations" in our students' mathematical thinking. Especially when teaching seniors and capable students at any level, it is important that we unsettle them, shake their perceptions and attempt, wherever…

A method for generating sums of series based on simple differential operators is presented, together with a number of worked examples with interesting properties.

The analysis of tautochrone problems involves the solution of integral equations. The paper shows how a reasonable assumption, based on experience with simple harmonic motion, allows one to greatly simplify such problems. Proposed solutions involve only mathematics available to students from first year calculus.

In this classroom note, the authors present a method to solve variable coefficients ordinary differential equations of the form p(x)y([squared])(x) + q(x)y([superscript 1])(x) + r(x)y(x) = 0. They propose an iterative method as an alternate method to solve the above equation. This iterative method is accessible to an undergraduate student studying…

The phenomenon of nonlinear resonance (sometimes called the "jump phenomenon") is examined and second-order van der Pol plane analysis is employed to indicate that this phenomenon is not a feature of the equation, but rather the result of accumulated round-off error, truncation error and algorithm error that distorts the true bounded solution onto…

This article focuses on the important role of applications in teaching mathematics to students with career paths other than mathematics. These include the fields as diverse as education, engineering, business, and life sciences. Particular attention is given to instructional computing as a means for concept development in mathematics education…

The article presents and discusses an optimization problem concerned with observing objects from a moving car. (MK)

A project is described where the ultimate goal is to teach students methods of problem solving through an industrial engineering environment. Students practice sharing responsibility, understanding group dynamics, using resources efficiently, meeting deadlines, using mathematics in oral and written form, and applying the appropriate mathematics.…

Proposes a calculus curriculum combining formative knowledge, mathematical foundations, and instrumental knowledge in mathematics. Discusses each of these components, the organization of a core calculus course, and the use of problem solving in calculus instruction. (10 references) (MKR)