Presents activities designed to introduce a mathematical idea having several applications for determining the optimal location for a radio station's transmitter and the best locations for a fire station. Includes student worksheets and solutions. (KHR)

Describes Project Jacobean, which offers students an opportunity to investigate differential calculus appearing in the study of literature. Presents procedures for student activities in which they experience the rigor of deducing conclusions and realize that viewing their work critically can be constructive. Introduces the essence of scholarly…

Reports on a long-term collaborative effort between Northeastern University and inner-city high schools in Boston which resulted in the wide-spread introduction of reform classes in schools previously lacking calculus. (Author/MM)

Compares the efficiency of calculus classes and evaluates two kinds of classes: traditional and others that use computational methods in teaching. Applies quantitative evaluation methods using two operational research tools, multicriteria decision aid methods (mainly using the MACBETH approach) and data development analysis. (Author/YDS)

Discusses one way of addressing the difficulty of mastering a large number of concepts through the use of ConcepTests; that is, multiple choice questions given in a lecture that test understanding as opposed to calculation. Investigates various types of ConcepTests and the material they can cover. (Author/KHR)

This article describes the activities of the Continental Mathematics League, which offers a series of meets for children in grades 3 though 9. In addition, a Calculus League and a Computer Contest are offered. The league allows schools to participate by mail so that rural schools can participate. (CR)

College students (N=39) completed five parts of a modified version of Rusbult and Farrell's commitment questionnaire. Responses were correlated with the students' final course grade in calculus, grade point average, and grade in humanities. Results showed that the investment model significantly predicted calculus grade and grade point average.…

A Holt, Michigan, high school's recent shift toward conceptual understanding and demonstrated performance inspired one math teacher to develop a panel performance-assessment process. For their midsemester and semester exams, students in algebra II and precalculus discuss before a panel of judges the solutions to complex problems. Panel assessment…

Discusses the problem-solving heuristics of examining for special cases, utilizing dimensions to make sense of proposed solutions, and symmetry. Presents examples to illustrate the use of one or combinations of these heuristics. (MDH)

An exercise that gives students a chance to use the equations of state for both an ideal gas and for an adiabatic process in determining the points at which heat flow reverses direction and at which the working substance reaches its maximum temperature is demonstrated. (KR)

Discusses, analyzes, and provides anecdotes about the calculus reform movement, in general, and the experimental, undergraduate calculus classes at Duke University, in particular. (JJK)

Project Outreach, operated by the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, uses computer telecommunications to offer advanced content courses in math, foreign language, science, and the arts to gifted students in rural areas. Evaluation has shown favorable responses from participants and significant gains on a national calculus exam. (DB)

Compared the performance of (n=710) college students taught precalculus using a graphing calculator approach to the performance of students using the traditional approach. Students in the first group scored significantly higher than the others on a comprehensive final exam. (16 references) (Author/MKR)

Discusses a teaching experiment with (n=19) senior and graduate mathematics students. Analysis suggests that students' difficulties with the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus stem from impoverished concepts of rate of change and from poorly developed and coordinated images of functional covariation and multiplicatively constructed quantities.…

After discussing the role of supercalculators within the business calculus curriculum, several examples are presented which allow the reader to examine the capabilities and codes of calculators specific to different major manufacturers. The topics examined include annuities, Newton's method, fixed point iteration, graphing, solvers, and…