Takes the concept of using a geometrical or visual approach to teach algebraic concepts and extends it to connect with the section on binomial expansion by using three dimensional objects. (ASK)

Describes the use of an application for TI-83 and TI-92 calculators called the Symbolic Math Guide (SMG) for teaching and learning the laws of exponents in algebra. Discusses ways in which the SMG can be used for teaching, review, and testing. (MM)

Presents an activity on soap-bubble geometry using a guessing contest, explanations, and demonstrations that allow students to mesh observation and mathematical reasoning to discover that mathematics is much more than just number crunching. (ASK)

Introduces a room air-exchange activity designed to assess student understanding of the concept of volume. Lists materials for the activity and its procedures. Includes the lesson plan and a student worksheet. (KHR)

Describes how the concept of similar triangles was taught using an optical method of estimating large distances as a corresponding activity. Includes the derivation of a formula to calculate one source of measurement error and is a nice exercise in the use of the properties of similar triangles. (Author/NB)

Explains how conic sections can be approximated by paper-folding activities and proves why they work. (Author/NB)

Presents an active way for students to learn about SAS, SSS, ASA, AAS, and HL in determining congruent triangles. (Author/NB)

Demonstrates how to use graphing calculators to explore rational number approximations to irrational numbers. (Author/NB)

Suggests an alternative proof by analytic methods, which is more accessible than rigorous proof based on Euclid's Elements, in which students need only apply standard methods of trigonometry to the data without introducing new points or lines. (KHR)

Presents a lesson to teach matrices that emphasizes conceptual understanding and allows students to extend their investigations into important and relevant situations by using graphing calculators after important conceptual understanding has been developed. (KHR)

Presents Cevian geometry problems (involving a segment that joins a triangle's vertex to a non-vertex point on opposite side) that illustrate how to implement methods for developing flexible strategies of problem solving, finding multiple representations, and making connections to other areas of mathematics and the real world. (ASK)

Integrating multicultural activities into mathematics instruction at all grade levels helps to foster appropriate and desirable attitudes about mathematics and its role in our culture. Multicultural investigations in mathematics reveal that many practices common to today's classrooms (such as reasonable guessing) served as the basis for solving…

Presents activities to demonstrate some of the properties and relationships among the Platonic polyhedra. (ASK)

Argues that the calculator is fallible as a repository of mathematical knowledge. Suggests that the calculator should be considered not only a labor-saving device but a learning device. Provides examples of the use of calculators as a learning device. Contains 16 references. (ASK)

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)