The first nationwide effort of industry, education, and government to promote excellence in mathematics through a junior high school mathematics competition is described. The rationale for MATHCOUNTS, the organizational structure, the format, and mathematics content are described. Contains some sample items. (MNS)

Brief articles on a linguistic approach to learning mathematics vocabulary, designing cross-figure puzzles, an activity with probability, and a problem with an erroneous solution are included in this section. (MNS)

Key factors in mathematics remediation for high school students are examined. Levels of learning are discussed, and suggestions are given for working at different learning levels. Examples are given for remedial activities with area, multiplicain, and decimals and percent, and additional references are included. (MNS)

Computational skills in multiplication and division are reinforced and practice is provided on these worksheets on estimating, finding factors, and determining divisibility. (MNS)

Instructional computing is defined, with reasons for making such computing available. A scenario of instructional computing activities is presented as an aid to stimulating visions of what might be possible. One program is given, plus suggestions for implementing computing activities. (MP)

The use of exercises that students can perform independently of any calculating aids and in a reasonably brief space of time is promoted, so that pupils can concentrate on the processes involved and any relationships of interest. Some examples are presented with the goal of increasing learning promoted. (MP)

The activities are designed to have students manipulate physical models of geometric figures, engage in spatial visualization and observe relationships between triangles and parallelograms and between triangles and rectangles. Worksheets designed for duplication are included in the materials and an answer key is provided. (MP)

Discussed is the use of the book Flatland, written by Edwin Abbott, as a novel assigned for reading in secondary school geometry. The assignment is largely designed to reverse the low student interest in geometry. It is noted that overall the book was well received by students. (MP)

To help mathematics teachers introduce and reinforce concepts and processes by using relevant problems, several such problems are presented and discussed. (MNS)

The relationships among students and group characteristics, group interaction, and achievement in cooperative small groups were investigated. Three categories of interaction were related to achievement: receiving no explanation in response to a question or error was negatively related to achievement; giving explanations and receiving explanations…

This article considers the sum of a finite geometric series as applied to numeric data storage in the memory of an electronic digital computer. The presentation is viewed as relevant to programing in several languages and removes some of the mystique associated with syntax constraints that any language imposes. (MP)

The material examines areas generated by combinations of: (1) Circles and Triangles; (2) Closely Packed Circles; and (3) Overlapping Circles. The presentation looks at examples of certain areas and at logical ways to generate the necessary algebra to clarify the problems and solve general cases. Ideas for extension are provided. (MP)

People are noted as intrigued for centuries by interplay between algebra and geometry with many important advances viewed to have come down through some sort of linking of the two. Examples are given of advantages to learning and discovery that can be found in an investigative approach combining them. (Author/MP)

Five problems are given which are designed to challenge gifted students while giving them opportunities to use algebraic concepts. Solutions are provided. (MNS)

Three probability problems designed to challenge students are presented: Liars and Diamonds, Heads Wins, and Random Walks. Other statistic problems are suggested that could involve computer simulations. (MNS)