Discusses how to set the size of the viewing window for a graphing calculator so that it is "user friendly" for all levels of students. Visually correct graphs, numerical interpretation, determining screen size, and setting friendly windows are addressed. (AIM)

Explores the effects of varying the coefficients in the general quadratic function using graphing calculators. (MKR)

Presents examples in which the graphing calculator can provide students with particularly valuable insights into some major statistics ideas such as random numbers. (ASK)

Reports on how students managed some technical aspects of graphics calculators as they used them to study graphs of straight lines and parabolas. Identifies three common student difficulties: (1) tendency to be unduly influenced by the jagged appearance of graphs; (2) poor understanding of the zoom operation; and (3) limited grasp of the processes…

Reviews recent research into the effectiveness of the graphing calculator as a tool for instruction and learning within precalculus and calculus, specifically in the study of functions, graphing, and modeling. Contends that much research fails to provide clear guidance or informed debate regarding the role of graphing calculators in mathematics…

Uses the visual and programming capabilities of the graphing calculator to discern both differences and similarities between two independent collections of sample data. (MKR)

Discusses the use of Calculator Based Ranger (CBR) in mathematics classrooms. Provides a classroom activity in which students graph walking in different directions and speeds. Presents student work and testing. (ASK)

Offers problems involving baseball to give students the opportunity to utilize the technology of a graphing calculator such as the TI-82 to work on the area of statistics. Gives step-by-step instructions as well as explanations. (AIM)

Discusses various ways to explore graphs on the TI-82 graphing calculator by using the three different cursors: the free-moving, trace, and result cursors. (MKR)

Students have difficulty associating equations of vertical and horizontal lines with their respective graphs. Presents an activity using a TI-82 graphing calculator to eliminate this confusion and to strengthen students' understanding. (ASK)

This booklet contains a representative sample of the efforts of colleagues at 11 institutions to use graphing calculators to enhance the teaching of calculus and precalculus. The first section contains examples of graphs for teachers to choose from for presentations, including: simple examples to illustrate some standard ideas in precalculus,…

Illustrates exploration of composition of functions, translations, and inverse functions on a graphing calculator. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Attempts to answer and generalize the question: When is the numerical derivative obtained on the graphing calculator greater than the actual derivative, and when is it smaller? Discusses symmetric difference. (MKR)

Explores quadratic functions using the graphing calculator. Discoveries are made graphically whereas hypotheses are proven algebraically. Includes traditional quadratics, other algebraic quadratics, nonpolynomial quadratics, transcendental quadratics, and proofs. (MKR)

Presents a secondary classroom investigation into mathematical modeling techniques with the graphing calculator using a match stick puzzle. Geometric models, through their corresponding area formulas, are constructed, tested, and analyzed graphically to fit specified problem conditions. (Author/MKR)