Plotting a polynomial over the range of real numbers when its derivative contains complex roots is discussed. The polynomials are graphed by calculating the minimums, maximums, and zeros of the function. (MNS)

Reanalysis of data for 13,200 twelfth-grade students indicated that sex has a significant effect on mathematics achievement even after controlling for sex differences in spatial abilities and background and interest in mathematics. Women tend to have less spatial visualization ability, and its effects on mathematics achievement are greater for…

The Second International Mathematics Study conducted by the International Association for the Evalaution of Educational Achievement examined mathematics teaching and its outcomes at the 8th- and 12th-grade levels in the United States and 21 other countries. This article reports on preliminary U.S. findings and their implications. (PGD)

The potential benefits of teacher fellowships are discussed. One such Fellowship consisted of research into the teaching of low attainers in secondary schools, and resulting units on money management are briefly described. (MNS)

Four worksheets are given to enhance the understanding of and facility with numerical concepts and relations for students in grades seven through nine. The focus is on enhancing deductive reasoning abilities with Venn diagrams and arrow diagrams. Teaching ideas are included. (MNS)

Defines problem solving, discusses the use of problems developed by students that are relevant to their own lives, presents examples of practical mathematics problems that deal with local situations, discusses fringe benefits of this type of problem solving, and addresses teachers' concern that this method consumes too much time. (MBR)

Presents a sample lesson plan (suitable for grades 6-10) and examples of other problems useful in teaching data processing skills. The plan (focusing on planning investigations, data collection, and data processing) is based on the Data Processing Operation Guide, a 10-step model of intellectual operations that can be used in problem solving. (JN)

Steps in organizing a calculator tournament among schools are described, and sample problems used in the tournament are given. (DT)

The impact of hand-held calculators on education is discussed, and areas for future research are identified. (DT)

Thirty-three studies, each comparing the effectiveness of individualized vs group-based instruction in facilitating mathematics learning, are tabulated according to author, grade level, mathematical content, test used, and direction of significant differences. Results of 19 studies comparing the effects of grouping on attitudes towards mathematics…

These worksheets involve using tangram pieces to create geometric shapes and to determine area relationships. (DT)

Teaching mathematics to mixed ability groups of children is discussed in general. Questions are identified concerning philosophy, organization, teaching model, course content, material, and assessment and evaluation. (DT)

The context of the NACOME report is outlined, and some of the significant points with regard to the mathematics curriculum, patterns of instruction, teacher education, and evaluation are presented. (DT)

A follow-up to the NACOME report which would clarify principles of mathematical learning and teaching is discussed. (DT)

Suggestions are given concerning the use of the pocket calculator for computations that are too trivial to be processed by a computer but too time-consuming for manual calculation. Several examples from arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus are included. (DT)