Presents a teaching experiment to turn students from external observers into active participants in a game of algebra learning where students use graphs to build meaning for equivalence of algebraic expressions. Concludes that the graphic-functional approach seems to make the introduction to algebra much more meaningful for the learner. (ASK)

Examines number naming, magnitude selection, and simple arithmetic performed by adult Chinese-English bilinguals born and educated in China to investigate the effects of surface notation on basic numerical skills. Indicates that retrieval processes in the arithmetic and selection tasks were more efficient with Arabic than Mandarin stimuli.…

Describes public key cryptography, also known as RSA, which is a system using two keys, one used to put a message into cipher and another used to decipher the message. Presents examples using small prime numbers. (MKR)

The bilingual dictionary has been adapted from a dictionary originally developed by Teresa Kow and Euphine Cheung in New York to assist Chinese students in their understanding of mathematics vocabulary and concepts in English. A total of 204 terms and definitions are provided in English with Chinese translations directly below the entries. Each…

This programed mathematics textbook is for student use in vocational education courses. It was developed as part of a programed series covering 21 mathematical competencies which were identified by university researchers through task analysis of several occupational clusters. The development of a sequential content structure was also based on…

This is a preliminary report of a project that is attempting to extend psychological research on stylistic differences in cognition to the study of teaching. This portion of the project measures students' preferences for three modes of mathematical expression; symbolic, verbal, and graphic. One hundred and fifteen junior high school students took…

Discusses some problems of reading expression, i.e., translating written symbols and words into easily verbalized sentences, and provides some guides and activities that may be used to avoid or remediate them. (Author/RK)

In the first part (AA 527 718) of this two part article math expression was discussed as well as student difficulty with translating written symbols into easily verbalized sentences. In this second part comprehension problems are examined and activities are offered to help students overcome these reading difficulties. (Editor/RK)

A method for introducing students to functional notation is illustrated. (DT)

Symbols commonly used in college-level mathematics are listed. For each symbol a brief commentary on its history, a description of the concept represented, and reference notes are provided. (SD)

Within the large range of potential theoretical perspectives on fractions, this paper considers one particular interpretation: fractions' duality as process and object. By considering the number-fractionbar-number composite symbol as simultaneously representing division and rational, some process-object theories imply that fraction-as-process and…

This paper presents an analysis of high school and starting college students' work with algebraic expressions and problems involving parameters. We suggest that parameters should be considered as general numbers that are used to make second order generalizations. The Three Uses of Variable model (3UV model) is then used as theoretical framework to…

A choice reaction time experiment tested the idea that the operations performed on symbols from different notational systems depend, not only on the interpretation of the symbols, but also on the symbol's notational characteristics or the ways in which they map the world. (Author)

The inhibiting effect of symbols on the learning of mathematics is discussed. (MK)

Limitations in children's understanding of the symbols of arithmetic may inhibit choice of appropriate solution procedures. The teacher's role involves negotiation of new meanings for words and symbols to match extensions to solution procedures. (MKR)