Most any students can explain the meaning of "a[superscript b]", for "a" [element-of] [set of real numbers] and for "b" [element-of] [set of integers]. And some students may be able to explain the meaning of "(a + bi)[superscript c]," for "a, b" [element-of] [set of real numbers] and for…

Thomas Kuhn (1962/2012) introduced the term "paradigm shift" to the scientific literature to describe how knowledge in science develops. The aims of this article are to identify paradigm shifts, or revolutions, that have occurred in mathematics, and to discuss their relevance to teaching mathematics in schools. The authors argue that…

It is shown that a unit segment can be constructed from a given line segment of length the square root of x if x is a surd. (MP)

The first of three volumes of a mathematics training course for Navy personnel, this document covers a wide range of basic mathematics. The text begins with number systems, signed numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages and continues into algebra with exponents, polynomials, and linear equations. Early chapters were designed to give insight…

The author describes an introduction to, and development of, the complex number field. (SD)

This is part two of a two-part SMSG mathematics text for junior high school students. Key ideas emphasized are structure of arithmetic from an algebraic viewpoint, the real number system as a progressing development, and metric and non-metric relations in geometry. Chapter topics include real numbers, similar triangles, variation, non-metric…

Described is mathematics used by the ancient Babylonians and recorded on tablets which have been dated 3000-2000 B.C., and 700-500 B.C. (SD)

This is part two of a two-part SMSG intermediate mathematics text for high school students. The aim of the text is to focus attention on mathematical ideas which are appropriate for study by college-capable students in the eleventh grade. Chapter topics include number systems, an introduction to coordinate geometry in the plane, the function…

This text is the first of five in the Secondary School Advanced Mathematics (SSAM) series which was designed to meet the needs of students who have completed the Secondary School Mathematics (SSM) program, and wish to continue their study of mathematics. The first chapter, devoted to organizing geometric knowledge, deals with the distinction…

A series of problems involving number theory, the law of cosines, and geometric interpretations of solutions to equations is discussed. (SD)

This manual was designed for use with the first of five texts in the Secondary School Advanced Mathematics (SSAM) series. Developed for students who have completed the Secondary School Mathematics (SSM) program and wish to continue their studies in mathematics, this series is designed to review, strengthen, and fill gaps in the material covered in…

Rational points in the plane were defined as points having both coordinated rational. Students solved several problems linking rational points with lines, circles, and other geometric figures. (SD)

Presents an activity using fractal cards--eye-catching pop-up cards--by applying simple iterative processes to single sheets of paper. This activity incorporates the concepts of measurement, number systems, sequences, series, limits, recursion, iteration, self-similarity, and fractional dimensions. Contains 12 references. (ASK)

A series of questions can be posed and resolved in the process of teaching that the decimal expansions of rationals are terminating or repeating. (SD)